Monaire

Monaire takes the stage in the darkened auditorium

He positions himself in the center

And prepares to be transported

From tribulation, agitation, sadness and doubt

 

A Spiritual swelling up

And out of the sound system

Let Go and Let God

Step Aside

 

All cares and obstructions cast off

He moves in communion with the music

Limbs become agents of expression

Channeling and broadcasting emotions

 

In the sweep of his arm, the extension of his leg

The light in his eyes and the bend of his back

The history of his life experience,

At once deeply personal and yet achingly universal

 

We are transfixed as our stories and struggles

Are revealed upon the stage

No longer adrift we are

Returned to our shared origins

 

Submerged in the experience

Our grief alleviated, our spirits uplifted

We are soothed and strengthened

Understand and are understood

 

In union we rise clapping, weeping,

And shouting our praise

The performance a reciprocal revelation

Blessing the giver and the receiver in equal measure

 

I dance to show myself

I dance because I love God and

I want to serve him

Amen

 

 

When you witness someone expressing themselves through their art in the most intimate and profound way, it strikes a chord deep within your soul. Your senses are aroused. Your mind engaged. You connect, not just to that individual, but to your deepest self. It is an extraordinary experience. At an event celebrating Women’s History month at Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School, I was privileged to participate in such an event.

Monaire Lawrence, an eighth grader, took the stage in the hushed auditorium as Step Aside, an inspirational song about overcoming obstacles through faith, began to emanate from the sound system. We all waited expectantly for the performance to begin. Monaire is known to be a good dancer and we were confident that he would not disappoint. He positioned his body and awaited his cue.

He began to move slowly at first, his body interpreting the music; fluid and graceful. As the spiritual grew stronger, his dancing became more ecstatic and impassioned. At times he seemed possessed as he jumped off the stage and danced in the aisle. Limbs become agents of expression, channeling and broadcasting emotion. At turns mournful, yet determined and ultimately triumphant.

It was understood that that we were a part of something special; that what we were witnessing was a young man pouring his heart and soul into his dance. There was no hesitation, no self-protection. It was pure emotion; raw and uncensored, deeply personal yet accessible to all.

The reaction from the audience was electric. Wave after thunderous wave of applause, hoots, hollers, and whistles. Seats were emptied as we rose and cheered. Several sensitive souls, myself included, were unable to restrain our tears. It was clear that with little dance training and a limited dance vocabulary, his art was understood and deeply appreciated. His performance solidified my belief that art, like human experience, is universal.

Main photo: Monaire Lawrence, 8th Grader, CASA Middle School, Bronx, NY