A girl teeters on broken ground.

Barely balanced on an unstable ankle.

She’s weighted by a mountainous middle, an A-line dress too much for her delicate bones.

A downcast face hangs from an awkward neck.

Hair rises like a panicked horse’s head.

Arms are outstretched like a bird attempting flight.

Yet a tiny butterfly perches atop like wings.

And palms press together in prayer within the flow of orange silk below.

From folded fans to gossamer gauze, color surrounds her.

Transparent light uplifts her.

She dances.