Writer, Researcher, Dancer

Diversity is the spice of life.
I write, obviously.
If you've read this closely, you know that I also love science. I'm currently involved in a research project involving molecular genetics, but I'm going to a different project in the fall.
Another side of me that I haven't acknowledged in a long time is the dancer within my soul.
I hear music; I move. My feet draw patterns in the floor, they tell stories that words cannot.
The rhythm of the tinkling piano twines with my body to create some fusion that the eyes and mind cannot fully comprehend.

I danced ballet for 10 years, until I was 12.
I gave it up to do volleyball, but I missed the feeling of it in so many ways.
For the first time in a long time, I'm planning on dancing ballet again. Tights, leotard, and pink slippers- the whole thing. Minus the bun, though; my hair is too short for that now.
I miss the stage and the sensation of gliding across the floor... Hopefully I can regain some of the joy I once had and some of the strength, too.

Unfinished

Shadows swirl like mist
silence caresses my mind
telling me, softly
I must wait to find
the one I've missed

I reach for you in the darkness
that swallows my fingertips
I retract from fear
words of love and longing
sleep upon my lips

Whispers of fate
bring me nothing but lies
they sweep away
my silent cries

we can.

We can either take the difficulties that are given to us, or we can look forward and see how they will help us grow.
We can take each day for granted, or we can realize that it is another chance for something amazing to happen.
We can try to keep everything the same, but no two days will ever be the same.
We can look at the glass as half empty, or we can fill the glass to the brim and stop arguing.
We can learn the most by listening to our harshest critics.
We can find happiness in the simple joys of life, or we can be irritated that one detail didn't go as planned.
We can pretend to be responsible adults, or we can dance in the rain.
We can smile, even when the odds are against us.
We can remember that no matter what happens in life- it goes on.

Enemies

Her designer sweatpants fluttered as she half walked, half jogged to keep up with Max.
She blinked her makeupless eyes once, twice, and flipped a piece of hair out of her face.
Max paused to look at her; she told him to keep walking.
A strange buzzing caused Max to pause again, then turn around to continue striding once she answered her phone.
"Hello?"
Max heard the strange murmurs that he was too far away to hear. He trained his eyes on the gravely path ahead, nose in the air, but remained listening to the woman behind him.
A sudden movement in the bushes caught his attention and was attempting to determine the source of the rustling when he tuned back into the conversation.
"No, I will not give my enemies the pleasure of ripping me apart."
Max gave her a puzzled look and tipped his head to inquire as to the change in her tone.
She laughed and motioned for him to keep moving.
"No," she said, "I'm not laughing at you. Max just gave me the most adorable look."
Max gave her a hesitant smile, nearly panting from their long walk.
Her tone of voice had noticeably lifted since Max had smiled at her, and she said a silent thanks for his company and friendship.
The bushes rustled again, causing Max to startle and jump into her legs. Once he saw that a squirrel was the cause of the noise, however, he darted after it.
Golden Retrievers will do that, you know.

Break, Breaking, Broken.

I had the patience
I was always persistent
but you had strength
in your resilience.

Now when you cross my mind
I grit my teeth
wait for the feeling to pass
and remember how to breathe.

There never was a facade
to what we built, you and I
there's nothing left to support
the silence after "goodbye."

Alone & Together

I have yet to learn
how to shine like the stars
on a warm summer night
or how to find fast freedom
like the speeding cars
that almost take flight

I'm not sure
how to bend with the wind
like the tall trees
or how to defy gravity
like the ivy that twines
with persistence and ease.

I don't know
how to tell if you're from above
like a blessing that I call my own
or how to express this feeling
as though I'm in love;
you feel like home.

Will you stand with me?
Feel the starlight on your face
Watch the cars run the race
Let the wind whisper in your mind
Wait for the ivy to unwind
Hear me speak words forever true
hold me tight, know that I love you.

Walking simplicity

I don't know
what it's like.
I'll never know
what it's like
to be you.

I can't walk a mile
in your shoes
if they won't fit
on my feet.

I can't live
a day
in your life
without knowing you
first.

Yet,
How can I know you
When
I only know...

me.