Poetry Friday: A Little Bit of Inspiration

I haven't danced nearly as much in the past few years as I used to dance, and it has definitely had an impact on my mind, body, and spirit. Whenever I am dancing on a regular basis, I truly feel alive. And whenever I am not, I feel like some integral part of me is missing. 

I found the following anonymous poem on several different websites and thought it might resonate with other dancers, other children's writers, and other people who are doing something or working toward something because they love it and just can't imagine life any other way...

I am a dancer. 

I twirl, leap, and spin. 

I jump, pirouette, and tap. 

I am a dancer. 

I feel pain and fear. 

I feel defeat and failure. 

Yet, I keep going. 

I smile, I practice, I perform. 

I have grace and beauty. 

I do not dance because I am happy. 

I am happy because I dance. 

I hear the applause.

I perform and do my best. 

Sometimes I fail.

I don't give up. 

For I am a dancer. 

I am brave and strong.

I dance not for fame and glory. 

But for how I feel inside. 

I am happiness, joy, love, and excitement.

Strife, talent, joy. 

Determination and beauty. 

I am a dancer.

--Author unknown