Christmas Concert
(Adapted from a letter composed 12/11/98, early morning)

People shine their most beautiful selves
Witnessed doing something they love
Last night, for a moment, I saw you
Dancing, singing, and acting-beautiful

If I had but one complaint, kiddo
It's that chorus reigns you in too much
It hardly seems natural for one with such flair
To have to hold your hands listlessly at your sides

At one point in the evening, I had a vision of you
Sexy and sleek, a black sequined sea anemone
Pouring forth her heart, but implanted on the stage
Unable to sway with the currents of her soul and voice

How I would love to watch you act, Nikki
To watch your talent unfold in kaleidoscopic surprises
Your smiles and your frowns, the mutability of your talent
Ever increasing, ever changing, your beautiful self shining

Dominique, I watched you shine your most beautiful self
I witnessed you performing, doing the things you love
Last night, for a moment, I glimpsed your soul
And swam through the night on memories of your voice

12/18/98