what's in a name

you know what I think?

I think you think you know

what it is to be a dancer.

you think I'm all pink

and tutus inside

that the swoosh on my Nikes

is just a symbol of swag

that my duffel bag

is full of soy cheese

and weight-loss bars

but let me tell you

that I've come this far

by the sweat of my brow

by the ache of my knees

the pain in my shoulder

the back flips, the splits

the groans, the moans

of yesterday's warm up.

Let's see you do 75 sit ups

after 100 push ups

let's see you lift those legs

180 degrees, thank you

girl please!

I work my butt off, literally

let me see you, come on let's see ya

Werk! with a capital start

let's see you play the part

of ath-e-lete ar-teest

this dancer's a beast

with grace.

I am proud of my muscles

my calves wide and strong

I've got good legs, hell they ain't long

but they can kick worth beans.

my lungs burstin' at the seams

dances back to back

we break our back

are you not entertained?!



I call them artists.

I call them athletes.

Smart. Funny. Beautiful.

dancers.