I hear the pounding kettle drum of my heart above the incessant murmur of the nameless faces before me. My eyes close, blocking from view the task I have to conquer. Deep breath ... inhale, exhale. My hands quiver slightly - only my partner notices. He smiles nervously and reaches out to touch my shoulder. His touch reassures me, but cannot quell entirely the anticipation rising from the depths of my soul.
A hush falls across the room, my head jerks to the side. He walks in stiffly, a tightly forced smile on his lips. His eyes meet mine. A volt of electricity races down my spine. He ascends the steps, closes his eyes and inhales deeply.
I am no longer shaking. The jittery schoolgirl is replaced by a seasoned professional, her back straight, arms stiff and legs lined up neatly in front of her. I stare directly at him, unashamed and poised. He nods and raises his hands with a gallant sweeping motion. Attention! I touch my lips against the cool metal right before his arms come crashing down.
A shock of surprise ripples through the air as a burst of blinding energy and life infiltrates the silence.
She enters the atmosphere - an invisble myst of beauty and sound - and takes over my entire being ... I exist only for her. She lulls and moves me; our hearts are one. I am enraptured by her spirit, and motivated by her life force. She flies me straight up over the clouds and then drops me cruelly into the bowels of hell ... all on a whim.
I look out at those in front of me and I see that they too are overpowered by her aura. A few have their eyes closed as they rock slowly in their seats. Others look on hopelessly as they attempt to wipe away tears of utter joy and sadness from their bright eyes.
Her essence increases in intensity, my body racks as if it will explode, unable to contain the raw emotion she bestows upon it. I bear down and hold her within me, I must contain her until the end.
I scream and wail, matching the heartfelt wrenches of those around me, as we all release her into the open air. She floats above us, echoing to the furthest corners of the vast room. Freed, she slowly dissipates and is felt no more. Nothing moves - no one dares to draw breath.
It takes an eternity for him to lower his hands to his sides. Our ears roar with the sound of pure emptiness.
A clap shatters our trance and is followed by the sound of a giant tidal wave of applause. My partners and I relax ever so slightly. Smiles flicker across our faces ... we are spent.
His hands beckon us to rise and we, with our straggly legs and faint hearts, recuperate with amazing speed and stand proudly before our appreciative audience. Her impact was felt by all, and we would gladly give our souls to be able to hold her in our bones again.
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