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Dad's Ballet Recital

When my daughter was young
She went to a ballet school
The teacher thought it would be fun
To teach some fathers ballet too

She found all of six of us
Who were willing to take her dare
As long as we promised
That at her recital we would be there

She knew it would be humorous
But she wanted the dance steps done just right
So we practiced for six months
In secret late at night

We learned the many positions
We learned leaps and plies, too
But we did draw the line
None of us would wear a pink tutu

On the night of the recital
“Special Guests” is what the program said
“A Performance you won’t want to miss”
Is all the description read

So right after a first grade tap
And before a junior ballet
We flittered across the stage
As music from Swan Lake did play

At first the audience was tepid
Not really interested in a routine
With none of their little ones in it
Until they realized what they had seen

When once again we appeared
In tennis shoes and shorts
Doing plies in third position
Came the snickers and the snorts

We danced our little hearts out
Doing the steps technically precise
While old and young were laughing
At those guys under the lights

We ended our routine
With me doing a split
And stuck in that position
They carried me out for our exit

And now these many years later
My daughter still tells the story
About her ballet recital
When Dad got all the glory

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




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Date: 9/15/2010 10:53:00 PM
A great story and a super win. congratulations. Love, Joyce
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Date: 9/15/2010 8:37:00 PM
Congrats Joe on your big win in Paula's Dance contest... she cannot finalize however she posted a blog with the winning poem titles and had read this one before so I knew it was yours... great piece my friend enjoy...
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Date: 9/2/2010 5:17:00 AM
I enjoyed reading your poetry this morning Joe. I will not be reading poetry for a few days as I will be gone from Friday until Monday. I look forward to reading more of your poetry when I return. I wish you a weekend filled with good health, love, and loads of inspiration. Love and Blessings, Carol
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Date: 9/1/2010 6:20:00 PM
Joe, I was laughing out loud when I got to the pink tutu (took ballet and wore one of those). It's really hard to imagine a group of fathers performing in Swan Lake. I bet you brought the house down. Your daughter was probably a bit jealous by the reception you received. Oh, how I wish I could have seen this!!!!! I predict another first-place win for you. Fabulous!! Love, your fan, Carolyn
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Date: 9/1/2010 4:50:00 PM
adorable Joe, good luck in the "Dance" contest
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Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry