Home » Poems » sara Etgen-Baker » ANN ATKINSON-Prima Ballerina

Notes About The Poem

My aunt, Ann Atkinson owner of Atkinson School of Ballet and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet and former prima ballerina with the New York City ballet. Watching her practice before a performance was the inspiration for this poem.

poem submitted to “Obsession #2” poetry contest, Seth Pina, sponsor, June 3, 2026.

ANN ATKINSON-Prima Ballerina

Each day begins with pain refined to grace,  
her body bent but never breaking—not yet.  
The mirror has no room for soft embrace.  

A leap, a turn—each muscle must erase  
the doubt that lingers like a hidden debt.  
Each day begins with pain refined to grace.  

The music calls, a disciplined and silent chase,  
no step misplaced, no ragged breath to fret.  
The mirror has no room for soft embrace.  

Bunions and blisters bloom where satin ribbons lace,  
for pirouettes she doth obsess, refusing to pause or let~  
each day begins with pain refined to grace.  

The stage demands what training can’t replace:  
a will that burns but never leaves a sweat.  
The mirror has no room for soft embrace.  

And when the final curtain begins to close,  
the aches remain, ghosts the ballerina does not forget.  
Each day begins with pain refined to grace.  
The mirror holds no room for soft embrace.

12th gradedancevillanelle

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