The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Practice Time, Little Dancer

Listen to Carol read her poem ...
Stand tall at the barre, little dancer.
Ready? Breathe. Begin.

You have all you need inside you
in heart’s deep place, and then

your breath will pull in sparkles
as notes beg you to soar

with sounds of pink slippers moving,
sh-shooshing ‘cross the floor.

Now, muscles: work! Now, spine: pull up!
Your hand is off the barre.

Are you ready now? Grow wings and leap
no matter how small you are!

About the Writer


Carol Coven Grannick

Carol Coven Grannick's short fiction and poetry for children has appeared in Cricket, Ladybug, Babybug, Highlights, and Hello. Her middle grade novel in verse, Reeni's Turn, debuted in September of 2020 from Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing. Her poetry for adults appears/is forthcoming in multiple print and online venues, most recently including Capsule Stories, The Birmingham Arts Journal, West Texas Review, and The Write City Review (Chicago Writers Association).