Dance

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.