A Flash of Time

This was written on the eve of my LIMS graduation. This is probably the best poem I have ever written and one of the few I am emotionally attached to. It's the first time I literally revealed so much of my own emotions in a piece of writing. 

A Flash of Time

By: Kelley A. Blessing

We all traveled here

From both near and far

Reminiscent of wisemen

In search of a star.

We arrived wondering

Of Laban, we knew nothing at all,

But we had the self-knowledge

We were in for the haul.

All of us strangers

Setting a pace

Our companions were alien

In both name and face.

Four young travelers

Beginning a trail,

With wise guardians to guide us

To ensure we don’t fail.

We stood together

Like children that day

Excited but nervous

Until we met K.

K as our guide

Sweet and fun in extreme

Through Basic Body Actions

We sensed Laban’s dream.

Her hand was gentle

And theatrically based

Through Macbeth and mask work

Ourselves, she forced us to face.

As an advisor she was

Brilliant and helped keep me well paced

Using Breath Support and teamwork

We solved problems I faced.

Her energy infectious

Her compassion—no bounds

It was a mutual feeling

Safeness with her around.

Then there was Cheryl

A wise and spirited guide

From anatomy and ourselves

We couldn’t hide.

With wonder she’d show us
Each time something new,

With a smile and gentle coaxing

Ensuring we saw it too.

Her knowledge was boundless

Reflexes and Bauhaus and much in between

With her great sense of humor

She revealed Laban’s dream.

From her, affirmations are few

But, every one I hold near

My heart swelled with pride

At each “well done my dear.”

And Frederick our guide

With such patience and light,

On his shoulders fell

Our complaints of each plight.

With gentleness and care

We were led through each maze

Shedding light in the darkness

After confusing days.

His teaching style was elegant

All of his explanations quite clear

It was apparent to us

Laban’s dream he held dear.

With great observations

And exercises too,

He brought much variety

As we danced in the park and the zoo.

And then there was Mari

Always bright and fun

To learn to connect to ourselves

Well, she was the one

Who taught us to feel

Each others’ energy

And through extreme movement work

She helped us to see

Laban’s theory in motion,

Bringing his work alive.

To see ourselves

With eyes opened wide.

Her warm-ups were awesome

She’d know just what we’d need

And off her energy always,

We seemed to feed.

And then there is John

A kinder man there can’t be,

He always took us traveling

And New York we did see

From upstate at Dia

To skyscrapers at the Met

His teachings were always insightful

From which I’m learning yet.

His lessons always challenged

His feedback detailed excessively

He certainly was the man

Who pushed us to the best that we’d be.

His understanding nature

His always ready ears

To listen to our problems

And alleviate our fears.

Then there was Sook

The knowledge she knew

Always fun in our work

Carnivals, and Improv too.

She helped to really
Access our Shaping

It was her that taught me

The true feeling of Wring.

Inner Outer Connection

She taught us to see

The expressions in people

How they could just be

Reflected through actions

The motivations they had

Her teachings and wisdom

Left us feeling glad.

And last there is Ellen,

Sending luck that first day

Of her knowledge and love

Of this work, there’s much to say.

Her enthusiasm for life

Never does wane

And at times it seemed that

She and Laban, both shared a brain.

She’s funny and caring

Motherly too

Rarely finding fault

Only loving you for you.

She taught us much,

Her work impacted me

For it was through her eyes

Nature’s true beauty I’d see.

Our assistants were there

Persevering through it all

Treating us gently

And padding our fall.

About each other

We really got to know

After all we were together

For the run of this show.

Supportive and fun-loving

And each so bright

Beautiful how we love each other

And a year later we don’t fight.

From projects to coffee

We always had fun

Working together

As if we were one.

There’s Juliana

So grounded and sincere,

When helping you with theory

There’s nothing you’d fear.

Then there’s Diana,

So light hearted and free

Making us laugh

And our Effort to see.

And then there is Mel,

So sweet and sincere

With BF she helped us

And held us all dear.

That leaves one person

Perhaps the hardest to see

Beneath the knowledge and experience

I guess that person’s me.

I don’t know what to feel

What to think or say

I just know this one year

Seems like merely a day.

All the times I have laughed

The times that I’ve cried too

The information, people, the love

It’s made me born anew.

I feel more intensely

My observations much more keen

This year and this program

Have exceeded my wild’est dream.

Our futures are open

But what will they hold?

A success story for each

I’m sure will be told.

Thinking back now

It’s just plain to see

That our friendship and love

Was destined to be.

Like waves in the ocean

That continue to flow

Let’s not say goodbye,

But let’s end with hello.