“Tempo”
When I swing, there can
be no control. Only
abandon. Just bend
your elbows!
—by Sarah Dzida (2018)
Author’s Note
Psych! Even though I love the song by Lizzo, this is about aerial circus arts—in particular a move in the hoop called “tempo.” When I was practicing it, I could not swing myself back into the hoop, and my instructor said it’s because I just would not bend my elbows. Even time I tried, I kept thinking I was doing it, but I wasn’t! The move is the first part of this video. Although she doesn’t bend her elbows, too… .