New Pointe Shoes

[There is nothing in the world like a new pair of handmade pointe shoes. People always see them as being girly, pretty slippers. All I see is strength.]

Blanched pink satin,
just smooth enough,
covering the canvas and glue and paper
that hold me up.
The canvas keeps me from being grounded--
from being stuck on the earth--
The satin lets me do something about it.
My feet know the motions,
my mind keeps the beat,
and my fingertips hold the truth.