April is National Poetry Month. I can\u2019t think of a better way to kick it off on Saipan than to attend the ballet concert to be staged by Glushko\u2019s Academy of Performing Arts at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe this April 1 and 2. There will be three Russian dancers from St. Petersburg, a performer from Japan, and 15 students from Glushko\u2019s Academy.
\nBallet is true poetry in motion. Trained dancers\u2019 bodies blossom with grace and beauty, blending their moves with some of the world\u2019s great classical music and stories. Here are two poems inspired by my volunteering as emcee, performing bit parts, and observing Anna Glushko\u2019s Academy of Stars and student performances over the past 15 years.<\/p>\n
THE CAMEL DANCES \u2013 for Anna Glushko
\n(written on Saipan in the spring of 2014)
\n\u00a0
\none hump or two the camel dances swallowing her spit
\nsashay sashay on dunes in the desert she bobs and prances
\nportraying pachyderms in a dromedary ballet
\nshe forms five positions on four legs and more
\nin a tutu tata one and two pli\u00e9 releve under the sun
\npirouetting till all her pads were sore she took a bow
\nsome folks complained,\u201c you are not and never will be
\na ballet dancer \u201d she said, that ignorant remark I\u2019ll just ignore
\nhow wrong they are she explained and continued plodding
\nmeasure for measure for ballet gives me satisfaction and pleasure
\nand now as the sands of time shift through deep desert dunes
\nthe camel dances with Heliogabalus to algebraic Arabic tunes
\nsonnet moral \u201csatisfaction will come to those who please themselves\u201d
\nput those negative remarks and insults on your minds back shelves<\/p>\n
What follows is a three-part ode written with a one-line haiku on the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky and ballet to accompany it. The production of the Nutcracker described here was performed by Glushko\u2019s Academy with four Russian ballet dancers from Perm Russia on Saipan in December 2004. I played the uncle who gives his niece the nutcracker. This poem, with a few revisions, was in the Saipan Tribune on Dec. 24, 2004. One meaning for nutation is oscillatory movement of the axis of a rotating body and Casse Noisette mentioned is the original name for the Nutcracker Suite.
\n\u00a0
\nNUTCRACKER NUTATION
\nA three-part ode to a fairy tale ballet classic<\/p>\n
Part One \u2013 PRACTICE
\none two three ballerinas being born elementary steps
\nrushing home picking up the kids ballet today
\npractice try it again hearing French dance terms
\nnew steps learned as muscles begin to build friends smile
\nstudents spin movement in the studio spritely and supple
\ntiny tots twirl play and pirouette proud parents<\/p>\n
Part Two \u2013 PRODUCTION
\nbackstage tension mounts where is the nutcracker
\nin the audience noise increases ballerinas ready
\nopening night grace and beauty convene in classic ballet
\nflowers dance mice merrily march in music delights
\non stage and off movement with meaning memories are made
\ncurtain call as flowers dance again Applause Bravo Cheers<\/p>\n
Part Three \u2013 PERFORMERS
\nTatiana Bolshuhina, prima ballerina floats arms and legs flutter
\nLudmila Telius on her husband\u2019s shoulders aerial flight
\nDaniel Kurinov leaping lightly leads a family connection
\nNikolai Kalabin continues Casse Noisette culture connection
\n\u00a0children and teens dance wait patiently behind the scenes
\na wonder for all in the hall ballet brings out the very best in all<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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