Dance
Connection through motion | Flash Fiction
Thousands of miles from her country and verbally disconnected from her new community, she finds a universal language—dance.
Music radiates through her body, filling every inch of her soul with ecstatic joy. Movement connects her to a society she doesn't understand, liberating feelings she can't put into their words, cauterizing a chasmal cultural disparity.
Her flow is commemoratory yet mournful. Her sway translates honor for the traditions of a country she was forced to leave behind. In her movement, she finds a link beyond language.
Energetic connections form as the room oscillates to the same vibrations. For the first time since arriving in this country, she feels understood. Her isolation mended through motion.
As the closing song plays, she holds on to each reverberation like her life depends on it. She fears her only link to this new world is slowly slipping through her fingers with every fleeting note. When the music finally ends, the deafening silence is pierced by low chatter as loneliness rings through her ears.
Lights slowly rise, illuminating her dissimilarities and exposing the void in her heart. Her eyes slowly scan the room, connecting with those once lost in the rhythms that bridged their differences. Their warm smiles let her know she is welcome and not alone, and she realizes their newly formed bond is beyond translation.
Tomorrow, she will dance again.
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night– I’m humbly one of the many vessels they use to come to life.
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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Well-structured & engaging content
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
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Arguments were carefully researched and presented
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More stories from Kristen Balyeat and writers in Fiction and other communities.
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Comments (48)
wonderful
Brilliant! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
& congrats on your leaderboard recognition! 😊👍🎉🎉
This poetic dance is pure magic, congratulations on the Top Story!
I remember when this was 100 words (or less?) and I love how gracefully you expanded it. Congrats on Top Story! 🥂
Congratulations on top story Kristen 😊. Had a feeling I would see it here soon 😉
Beautiful. I like how you describe the dancer and yet give her no name or country. As a reader, I know who she is in my mind. Lovely writing. Thank you.
Beautiful story that really captures the heart and soul of the dancer!! 💙Anneliese
So beautifully written and so deserving of a Top Story.
Congratulations… So beautiful 🥹
congratulations
Nice article
Congratulations on Top Story. It seems music and dance can bridge gaps. Well written.
Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Congratulations on your Top Story,
I remember this one Kristen!! Congrats! Did u change communities or something? 😊👏
wonderful
Congratulations Kristen. You definitely still got it.
This is magical. So beautifully done. Congrats on the TS.
Awesomely written!!! Music and dance can break down communication barriers. Loved this!!!
Congrats on the Top Story! I remember this one from awhile back! ❤️😁❤️
I really adore how you used dance to represent a translated language, a universally translated language. Beautiful, to imagine the dance itself, but feel the emotions predominantly. And then, at the end, seeing how the bond is BEYOND translation--a fantastic subversion that rings true. Like, the process of the dance, the motion itself, is one language translated to another, but the result is so transcendent, that an actual, audible, translation is not needed.
Just back to say a super casual congrats on Top Story, pal!!!
Stunning portrayal of unspoken communication through dance. I loved the build-up th the final ‘aaah’ moment 😍
Is this one you've submitted to the writing awards? I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.