The dancer on the star
is my almost three year-old
grand daughter carefully following
the dance instructor
who is leading the class
in a routine which begins
with a shimmy and a shake,
a limbering up of arms and legs,
a clapping of hands.

ending with arms in the air,
balanced on one leg,
the other raised with knee held high–

a whooping crane about to take flight.

she holds the pose for that precious second…
then tumbles gracefully earthward
catching her fall with a giggle.

pleased, she prances back
to Mom and Dad
glowing with a dancer’s pride.