Dancing in the Chapel

By Sabrina Karlin

My eyes glanced up from the black and white print.
They swooped around the circular room
Taking in the scenery.
I took a breathe
And a holy smell of must and lavender
Flitted to my senses.
My tiny eager fingernails
Tapped a rhythmic beat
On the sturdy oak bench.
I tucked my foot protectively behind my ankle
To keep it from mimicking my fingers.
Then I could resist no longer.

I rose to my feet
And glided into the middle
Of the polished wood floor
In a dream-like stance.
The filtered sunlight found me
And the stain glass windows
Turned it a sparkling gold.
My pale silhouette
A midnight black cutout
Against the shimmering starry evening
On the break of dawn.

I twirled gracefully
Careful to spot the dim candles flickering with every draft.
Instantly my pink converse
Transformed into rose-colored ballet slippers.
The chatter of voices my music
The glow from the windows my spotlight.
There I danced like know one was watching.
The musical chatter
My imagination
And the precise beating of my dancing feet
All synced into a mellifluous story.