The Dancer

by Cynthia Harper

I can't love ya, cause your feets too big.

--Johnny Shines

Is that how it started

all those centuries ago

the Emperor tossed

his head whispered to a

concubine, I like tiny

feet. They are more seemly.

Was she the one who

first bandaged her

daughter's feet? Did

the child cry out

in pain? Only to

hear her mother

murmur as she kissed

the broken bones,

It's all right little

dancer. This will

make the emperor

smile on you.

Did the child

know she

would never

dance again,

her feet

wrapped in

white silk.

a crushed flower

bruised on

the face of time?