Truth In The Twirl

'The Audition' Painting by Michael Dvortcsak

"We are three generations of teachers. You too will teach some day." But she hated school, all sharp penciled perfection and forced alliances with math and science. The subjects of school did not tickle her attentions, but jangled her nerves. As if the hours till final bell weren't long enough, there was homework afterwards. "When you have finished your homework, you can go out and play." But the assignments were hard and she wasn't interested. Paying attention to something that lifeless was so hard for her. Already, at such a young age, the expectations of life were weighing her down, and waking was just the beginning of another wasted day.

Mid monotony, her teacher announced a field trip to the museum next week. Initially unresponsive, having never been to a museum before, she warmed to the idea once Jeremy told her there was no math or science involved in the outing. "You just look at pictures and stuff". Now she was excited.

The rest of the week passed slower than usual but finally the day arrived. She dressed carefully in a pale yellow dress that was her favorite due to it's billowing effect when she moved. There was so much chatter on the bus, growing in intensity as each voice fought to be heard above the roar of the engine. A huge cheer announced their arrival and soon they were standing in the middle of a room larger than the auditorium at school! They walked in a group past painting after painting, listening to the white haired lady tell about artists and brush strokes. All the paintings were old, and though they were pretty, she soon got bored with them, as she did most things. Her attentions wandered and her feet followed.

She found herself separated from the group, alone in another room of paintings, though smaller than the first. And yet here, in the center, not far from where she stood, was the most beautiful statue. The plaque read "Sophia -bronze sculpture." She studied Sophia in her billowy tutu and pony tail...something inside her came alive with a knowing that only happens in rare moments, when flimsy possibilities become stone truths. Raising her arms, she pointed her toes, and though never being asked to do so before, she knew exactly how to turn and arch her foot in perfect point. She raised her arms and billowed her dress in large sweeping twirls about the room. Freedom and artistry, beauty and movement, all the things she needed that now had form. Twirling, twirling, twirling until dizziness made her stop and she tottered, unsteady, back to Sophia. Sweeping a small but grand arm up and then down, she curtsied and rose.

"This is what you were born to do" said Sophia. "Can you feel how your body remembers something you have never learned?"

"I feel so happy" she said.

"Your parents will fight you on this", Sophia said, and her stern look communicated all the hardships this road would bring, as well as untold joy worth it all.

"Yes" she said, thoughtful for a time. Brightening, "But one day they will get their wish. When I can no longer do, I will teach.........(giggle)...dance."

Sophia looked down and smiled. "Exactly".

(I love this series of museum paintings my Pops is doing. I see so many possibilites and my mind writes their tales as I examine the faces, posture, placement, light. Enchanting!)