The Yahara Journal 2020 edition

UNFORGETTABLE Pakou Yang

In front of the palace tall doors I stand quietly holding my lute. I hear the faint music echoing from the other side of the doors. I feel my heart start to race like the rustling feathers of a hummingbird. I hear a man announcing my near arrival to the audience. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I am there to entertain. I want to show the world my exciting and moving performance. I want to convey and turn those powerful, emotional, and internal feelings into physical form for all to see.

If I can move their hearts as one, then I have done my part as a performer. I will be entertaining the royal court who invited me to the palace to perform as a guest. That’s why tonight, I will only think of nothing but dancing.

All outside thoughts start to subside as the doors slowly start to open widely in front of me. The music and talking stops as I make my way into the elegant and intricately decorated room, filled with the rich color of champagne. In front of me sits the lord on his magnificent throne. His royal clothes dyed with black and the same champagne color that decorate the room. The other royal officials sit on the high balcony observing us from afar. My eyes do not leave his majesty’s as I walk straight towards the center of the room where the other female dancers are positioned. In the middle stands a golden, wooden chair that waits for my warmth and presence. Gently I plant myself onto the seat with my face gazing down upon the polished, golden floor and the side of my body facing his majesty. I wait in position, holding the lute in my hands. A moment of stilled quietness fills the room.

Then in that moment, the room swells with an echoing stringing of cords coming from my hands and the lutes of the other performers behind me. The single tune from my lute blends well with each of the others. A sweet melody leaves my lips as I keep his majesty’s gaze. I move one of my embellished hands to the side of my cheek to acknowledge his majesty. He nods quietly, watching me. My body moves fluidly with a skilled gracefulness as I sway to the rhythm of the other lutes. My soulful, vocal melodies echo and fill the entire room as I continue to string the musical lute along. My body sways mindlessly and continuously on its own, syncing itself to the inviting melody and the rhythm of the song, like a ballerina figure spinning around in its musical box until the end of the tune.

The performance soon comes to an end, followed by the striking clapping and approval of many royal officials in the room. They are all impressed with the 6