Elizabeth Alexander on Finding Life in the Second Spring of Middle Age
If I could have been a dancer, a real dancer, beyond those years at St. Mark’s, I probably would have done it. But my gifts were not that lavish, and my considerable drive was directed toward more than just dance.
Elizabeth Alexander, reflecting on her transition into middle age, discusses the parallels between her dance career and her writing life. Having been an accomplished dancer, she acknowledges that she never fully realized her potential in the field. However, the discipline and self-criticism honed through dance have translated beautifully into her poetry.
Alexander emphasizes the importance of honest self-assessment and the power of daily practice in both dance and writing. She draws comparisons between the structure of a dance studio and the blank page, emphasizing how both require a strong center and precise alignment to create beauty. Alexander's journey from dance to poetry has taught her the value of perseverance and the necessity of engaging in a rigorous daily practice to refine and achieve a desired outcome.
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