Swan Song
The historic Emerson Ballet Theatre was scheduled for demolition two days before its 150th anniversary. Luxury apartments were to be the new showcase and my fame would be extinguished, like a burnt out star.
Darkness enfolded me behind closed curtains. For a moment, I imagined hearing the impending rumbles and reverberations of a wrecking ball as I poised center stage. But it was the audience, exploding with applause, shouting “encore!”.
A sinking heart prompted stinging tears but I held my head high as the plush curtains parted, my smile a swan song to the life that I loved.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA story that really highlights the ‘putting on a brave face’ smile. It’s such a sad end for a building that has brought joy to so many and for the dancers whose time there is coming to an end. Nicely done
Thanks Carrie! Sometimes smiles are not always happy but mixed emotions or bittersweet or a façade. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Such sadness in your story, Heather. A smile that hides heartache. Beautifully written. I loved the picture and the link to Swan Lake and your protagonist’s swan song.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWhy, thank you so much for the lovely comments and reading my story!
So sad that historical buildings are replaced by flats. Heather, I enjoyed your play on the words “swan song” in your final sentence.
Thank you Margarida! And I agree, it is sad to see historical buildings torn down.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAn emotional story. I most especially love the line, ‘my smile a swan song to the life that I loved’. If I may ask. What’s behind the swan song?
Thank you for your lovely feedback Thomas! A “swan song” is actually just a phrase that means a person is completing their final performance in public or saying goodbye. The “last hurrah” so to speak before leaving or retiring or saying farewell. So my character is forced to retire her dancing career with the destruction of the theater. Thank you so much for reading my story!
An emotional read, Heather. I also love the last line. Lovely.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google