Nijinsky – Echopraxia
(1919 – The dancer Nijinsky is admitted to the Bellevue
Sanatorium and among other conditions is diagnosed
with Echopraxia, an involuntary repetition or imitation
of movements and sounds.)
Slow silent silent silent
mute still
echo cry out cry out cry out
Slope off inside
each movement starched flattened
unblinking wave after
wave of steps your smile
widening sharpening
crinkling waiting for
the music to haemorrhage in you.
Inside switching on
flame in your pulse racing
grimacing embracing
the stretch outwards
grabbing at the air
contorting cavorting distorting.
Fast shout shout shout
loud rage
echo cry out cry out cry out.