La petite danceuse
petit rat that ’ s what they call her but then why do they come for her in the corners of the foyer de la danse waiting watching all the pretty dancers in a row
relevé , echappé , tendu , frappé four steps from hunger four steps to misery a place in the corps de ballet is surely worth a little light discomfort
her joints ache feet raw and red extend they say longer further tighter but keep smiling no one wants to see your pain she can only manage a grimace
at the edge of the wings she is hidden amongst the drapes of velvet curtain enfolded
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