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Nutcracker’s dream in a country’s ghetto

Other worlds

By Gabriela Dimitrova Published 4 years ago 1 min read
1
Bulgarian gypsie kids

Nutcracker’s dream in a country’s ghetto

By Gabriela Dimitrova

The breeze of early winter morning

tapped the snow crowns

of the slender black trees –

invisible foliage,

bodies set straight,

feet in plie-jette

‘Ready!’ stirs the wind-conductor.

The laurel bushes lean forward:

bowing their green gowns,

they formed two rows.

And stepping to the side, they reveal

a little old house,

with papered window frames.

Two young children, clicking

feet to the tune of wind.

Their sleeves

hanging loose,.

Holes swelling where pockets should have been.

Their cold feet barely touching

the bumpy earth floor,

Their black arms clapping, left

and right jump-

kicking, gracefully bowing…

They harrow the evening quiet.

The chill of the winter doesn’t halt their dance. Snaking arms, swirled with mud,

draw magic from a book on the floor. A Sugar-pink Fairy shouts from the pages, ‘Keep dancing,keep warm. Keep dreams alive. Sweet

is the joy of

the Nutcracker Prince

and the dark-skinned young princess,

like the gold and red baubles on

the Christmas Tree you see on your

out-dated TV or

on the shelves of the Department Store –

what not is there that you cannot afford.

Come to my kingdom of twirls

and cakes. You’ll sit in my thrones

and not on your ragged divan;

I’ll lay fluffy slippers on your bluish feet;

I’ll blow the holes in your clothes

to the very raw ridges of heaven

and fill them up with fragrant spring flowers.

I’ll fill your empty table with

sweet bread of ginger and sugar plum.

Your old cracked bathtub I’ll turn into

a glittery lake, where you’ll wash off

the grime on your faces

and the wounds

on your feet that refuse to heal,

and you’ll come out renewed,

both strong and fearsome. Throw the slipper of poverty

on the head of the rich

mouse that lives in a castle and drives a black limo. He ows you

shiny dresses and happy ever afters.

social commentary
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About the Creator

Gabriela Dimitrova

Freelance writer of poetry and fiction

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