Breath Taken

Today I have few words. The kids of Philadelphia have pretty much taken them away. Because how do I even begin to explain what it is to find yourself surrounded by fifth graders who are eager to put on a show—to perform the rumba, fox trot, tango, swing, and meringue they've been learning two afternoons a week, these past ten weeks. They had their hair all done up and glittered. They stood with their partners and teams. They swirled on their heels after their teachers pinned on their color sashes. And when the DJ filled the air with paso doble music, these young dancers seized the stage, then turned, then stood, and you couldn't stop the audience from screaming pride if you'd wanted to. You couldn't erase that mood.

One girl lost a slipper and a sash. One lost a painted flower. But above these losses their skirts still flew, their feet still found the music.