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

exciting and moving performance they watched, especially his majesty. A look of enjoyment and arousal shows on his facial features as he openly praises our performance. Soon, all the performers, including myself, are escorted to our chambers. Upon our arrival, many luxurious gifts decorate the huge room in celebration. Jewels unlike any other I’ve ever seen, long pearly beads, clothes made of silk and rich colors, dozens of soulful foods and bags of gold embellished throughout the room. All the ladies run to their welcoming gifts like bees to honey. I am happy to see them filled with happiness. They earned it. We all did. The performance felt like it went by so quickly. It was fun and I wouldn’t mind performing again for my audience. Not for the gifts, but because it felt enjoyable and rewarding to fill the hearts of many with the art of performing. I want to continue to do that and feel that excitement wherever I go. It is what I live to do. Performing feels like a calling to me. It is like breathing in air. Without it, I wouldn’t be here nor would I feel as much happiness and joy as I do now. I would never give up on it. It is worth the long days of effort and practice. While the ladies play with their gifts with laughter and delight, I walk toward the balcony. A full moon brightens the dark sky as I gaze upon it. A warm smile stretches upon my lips. Today was certainly a day I will never forget in my lifetime.