Bitter

It’s a post-apocalyptic world. Dark. But there is a stream of light. Two lovers have found each other at the edge of oblivion. She wears a black filmy dress, with a low back. It doesn’t matter what he’s wearing, but he’s in all black, if you must know. Violins strain.

She trusts him with her body, with her life. How did they find each other, here, at the end of the world? There is no one else. His arm is wrapped around her, his palm pressed gently against her stomach. He holds her and doesn’t let her fall, even though she leans so far from side to side, almost touching the scorched earth. Although it is burnt, the ground is ice to their feet. Hers skim the surface, tracing smooth circles like a protractor. He lifts her in the air with ease through the air as though she is weightless. Their arms form arches for the house that their bodies have built.

This Bitter Earth is a song by Dinah Washington, made into a mesmerizing pas de deux choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. I saw it danced by Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle of the New York City Ballet years ago at the Kennedy Center. I never thought I would get to see it again. Tiler Peck recently posted it on Instagram, and I haven’t stopped watching. It is 6 minutes and 19 seconds of rich emotion and dancing that will break your heart.

You know, I have a strong aversion to bitter foods. Something about the metallic taste. But this song, this piece, makes me think that yes, “this bitter earth may not be so bitter after all.”

This bitter earth
Well, what a fruit it bears
What good is love
Mmh, that no one shares?
And if my life is like the dust
Ooh, that hides the glow of a rose
What good am I?
Heaven only knows

Oh, this bitter earth
Yes, can it be so cold?
Today you're young
Too soon you're old
But while a voice
Within me cries
I'm sure someone
May answer my call
And this bitter earth, ooh
May not, oh be so bitter after all