Miami International Film Festival

Miami Film Festival 2008 "My Dream"

AN ENVOY OF THE FLOATING WORLD

1

My dream was seeing your grace and charm,

your acrobatic hands,

                    your lithe form twirling,

so the diaphanous dress rose

                like a cloud

                   or a butterfly.

You floated above us the dumb audience,

rendering a dance so composed

as if

                                  you did not live

                              for applause

but only

                                 for the dance.

2

Earlier in rehearsals I had seen you not

speaking, not

exclaiming, but

listening with your eyes

as your choreographer directed

with her hands your every movement:

a lift,

a dip,

your hands fluttering like the wings of birds

in flight,

rising on air,

your form embracing the curve of the earth

and buoyant as the sky.

3

Up close, your face was luminous

                      as the moon in early spring.

                   Through your lunar eyes,

you tried to understand the silent throng

of aliens

                                        that smiled, clapped and bowed—

                                              and had photos taken beside your gift.

You true artist,

who would have danced

in a blind forest,

so only the wild creatures could have fallen in love,

I blow you a kiss

because I know neither of your tongues—

Chinese

                      or your supple

                   arms,

                                    hands and

                                                 fingers.

3/2-12/08

I wrote this poem after seeing a deaf Chinese dancer perform with amazing grace at the Miami International Film Festival 2008.  The poem was published first in Creative Woman, Miami-Dade College, 2008.