The Dancer by Marc Prudhon

When she was but a child, she began to dance. Any music or song, gave her that chance. All blessed to see her, knew they were given a gift. Watching her move, your heart and spirit would lift. Twas as if she was Dance itself, given function and form. She could drive out your heartaches, push back a storm. This tiny waif of a girl, if you saw her you could but know. As she got older, that power could do nothing but grow. She grew to a young woman, dancing lighter than air. With a sweet gamin face, and long flowing hair She never did think of leaving her small town. For people came to see her , from all cities around.. Till one day a man of evil, a man filled with greed. Saw her dance and thought. "she's is just what I need'. I can sell tickets, will call her "Natures own flower". I will get wealth, and I know , money will give me power. So he walked to the dancer, and took her by the hands. Said , Come little one, You should be seen in all Lands." To the great city , he took the dancer , that young girl. Made up signs,"See the best dancer of this World". They came and watched, felt a freedom of sense. As they were all awed by her magnificence. The cheering rose up, making such a great sound. That Ra's sun chariot slowed in its daily round. Ra looked down to see what could give his horses pause. 'Saw a small woman, thought surely this can't be the cause. The greedy one came on the stage, committed a great crime. Saying."She dances better than the Gods of any and all time" When Ra heard this, he became somber and sadden. He knew those old Gods, such words would not gladden. With the mans fateful words , upon the stage there appeared. A Blazing shape , away you must look ere your vision be seared. It faded down to a woman, of beauty and inhuman grace. Clothing of gold, daughter of the Nile showing in her face. "I heard the words of that greedy hearted,evil little man, Tho not your fault, You will have to make a stand. I am Hathor, Goddess of Beauty Music and Dance. You need not best me, you will be given the chance. To follow my movements , throughout my long dance If you do so, then I give my promise to give duty. To bestow you long life, and never fading beauty". To the music of spheres, Hathor twirled, danced and leapt. Beside her, the dancer matched her, movement and step. The dance left the stage, thru the city. place to place. None dreamed mere mortal woman could keep up that pace. As Hathor stopped, Said, You have done your part. You have matched my dance, yours is a pure heart. Hathor raised her arms and gave the dancer the spell. The dancer's tiredness vanished, she suddenly felt well. As she started to sit, They heard a sound from the sky The wings of a great bird, far to huge to possibly fly. Twas Garuda, the Bird of Hindu Gods, and up on its Back. One Burning, One Red Robed, one whose face was black, First walked Agni, God of fire, and none hoped to learn, One gesture from him, the very stones of the city would burn, Robed in Red, Yama , God of Death, from him, none can flee, One touch, one glance of his takes the soul and life from thee,. Kali, many armed, black face, To whom all Chaos is sweet, Death and destruction , to her , are like fruit and meat, As they approached the dancer, she bowed her head,.

The Dancer

by Marc Prudhon

One look , One gesture of theirs, she would be dead, Kali said "It is good to that the other one left you fresh and alive,, It will make your death sweeter , you cannot hope to survive. "You cannot out dance me, Mine and the other two Powers, Will bring an end to this city and you in just a few hours. But , come now,tho your effort is doomed you must try. To turn us away, win, and then none in this place will die, The Hindu music began, sounds the dancer never before heard, She stood there frozen in shock saying never a word, Kali began her dance, With her many arms and black of face, that dance she gave before Shiva, In the Destroyers Palace, The little dancer watched and in fear she did cower. To match or beat that dance she had not the power. As Kali danced, the crowd divided, it did split apart. And what looked like a man, came forth from its heart. Blue-skinned and smiling, all his raiment was gleaming. Strength, hope, and love from him seemed to be streaming. I am Kubera, no great power, Just Lord of all hidden treasure. I say unto you, Not even those three can take my full measure. Powers of Death, Chaos,and Fire are no part of my list. But I can grant thee this power, those fears to resist. She felt an up welling of spirit, and suddenly she knew. How to answer Kali's dance , what she had to try to do. She moved up by Kali but did not challenge her Dance. She had but one way, on that she took her chance. The dancer did not compete, did not enter that strife. She began her own dance , one of hope,a Paean to LIFE.' She danced of the Love, Of Parent for Child. Love of Man and Woman, both tender and wild.. She danced of the love that encompasses all. Emboldened and daring to answer each call. She danced of the life, so simple yet deep. Of lovers holding each other while deeply in sleep. She danced of the truth, that all on the earth. Whether peasant or King, each has true worth. Kali's dance faltered and stopped, The three lost their will. They knew before them danced something no Power could kill. They went back to Garuda, That great messenger bird. They left her there dancing and said not one word. She ceased her dance, looked round, walked down to the crowd. Where went the God who gave hope and made me so proud? The people were confused in whole, said "No God did we see" Only one old blind beggar came anywhere close to thee. Where is he, she asked, and all looked around. no beggar was seen nor ever was found.