A Writing Journey

(Today’s slice responds to this challenge: take the title of a book you love and use it in your writing. The result is a subtle message that happens to coincide with International Women’s Day. With thanks to Rohinton Mistry, the author of A Fine Balance.)

A little girl walks on the edge of the steps

Leading up to her front door.

She balances on one foot, horizontally, and quickly swings

The other foot around to land it just in front.

It is in those few seconds

When she wiggles and steadies on one foot,

A pause of uncertainty about whether she can do it

And then when the foot lands in place, the thrill of success.

She tries this every day

At the same time after school,

Hoping to make it one step closer, 

To make it across one step

Without a fall.

At school, she plays an identical game,

But it’s not about her feet.

She balances her voice and her intentions, so she can 

Be the kind of girl that attracts a crowd on 

The playground.

Loud and welcoming.

Willing to do whatever the others want her to do.

Taking risks and being bold, and waiting,

Waiting for the look that she belongs.

Until she moves inside to her classroom,

And the dance changes,

Her voice soothes and softens,

Wanting to please an audience of one,

Her teacher is the object of her desire.

She wants to answer every question

But knows that she must yield to others.

This is what it means to be a good girl,

a good student.

So she takes that step again,

Waiting to see if she meets approval on the other side.

Always teetering

In the knowing and the not knowing,

The risk and the reward,

Fear and safety,

Wanting and being.

A fine balance is what she walks.

A fine balance is what she wants.