Clear as Tear Water

Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown

Soloist: Taylor Collier

Seen November 17, 2018 as part of TU Dance's Program

Photo from a different performance of Clear as Tear Water

Taylor is illuminated, arms wide as she methodically stirs the space in front of her like there is a large pot. It’s continuous enough for me to think of stirring from sleep, stirring in the heart and mind. As if this stirring were a daily prayer, worked over, making the soup of me. Her sure arms unfurl into wings. Why do her arms seem so sure? The movement is not happening to her, it is absolutely coming from within. There’s wisdom and complete awareness.

The lyrics croon, “Why did you trade heaven for all these earthly things?” Taylor’s arms clasp behind her back as if addressing; she fully exists there, expectantly, for but a moment before she starts talking (moving) herself. To me her movement seems to punctuate the urgency of a question. Maybe this is because of the recurring questions in the song or Taylor’s outward gaze. Taylor is casually extraordinary in this solo: humble and offering. At one point, she interrupts her turning to address and reconcile with you. Taylor’s arms extend out in front of her, palms knee height. The feeling of that gesture exists in the rest of the full bodied movement. I see: “this is me, this is what I have.” There is indeed vulnerability and strength in this sharing.

“...the path to being clear as tear water is not obtained - it is enough to simply be clear and open.” -Toni Pierce-Sands