Woe of the Ballerina

Poem

There once was a girl named Pearl.
Upon a stage she did twirl.
But dancing is tough
she wasn’t skinny enough
so in the bathroom she hurled.

The days and the nights were long.
Dancers must learn to be strong.
Pop a Xanax at night
no time to sleep tight
and pearl finally felt she belonged.

Pearl gave up on restraint.
Her reputation she did taint.
The night of the dance
she lost her big chance
and onto the stage she fell faint.

There once was a girl named Pearl.
Upon a stage she no longer twirls.
She ruined herself
her shoes sit on a shelf
yet she is only one of many girls.

more by CASSIE GAMMIE

photograph by Olenka Kotyk

Image Curve’s Manifesto