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Part 3: “A LETTER IN WHICH A DANCE IS MADE IN CORRESPONDENCE”

Dear V,

It was while still seated in my studio that I began to think of a dance that I would send to you. I can’t remember what it was that you had said to have promoted such a response from me but I have a feeling that it has something to do with the distance between those who are corresponding, between the two who are writing and sending messages. Messages that, as you have noted, are at times more alike and more apart, that are at times more sincere and less authentic. I started writing you a dance like this before putting it aside.

The next morning, while reading your message, I again began to think of a dance. We were more alike in this one. In fact, as I imagined it, we mirrored each other. Each watching the other for cues of how and when to move, to breath, to step. It was impossible. I tried again later that afternoon to get the movements down, to decide where to step on my own, while imaging how you might have followed, or led. In your message you had made it sound as though the distance between two dancers was nothing more than the space between letters. I thought of this and made a hopeful dance before putting it aside.

This morning, while seated at the breakfast table, working through my notes for the day and again thinking of a dance to send to you, I had this thought and made this dance:

This distance, the one I am so eager to trace, is littered with buildings and as I work to fold myself around them I think, “You would have done the same.”

Best,
A