at the intersection of pole dance and writing
This time will be different: PSO Northeast 2022
Guess who’s competing at PSO Northeast in 2022? In some ways, it feels like I’m competing for the first time, though I’m not. I’m just being more deliberate about it than I’ve ever been previously. I’m not uber-proud of either of my previous competition pieces, and it’s truly a horrible feeling. I love pole—and I … Continue reading This time will be different: PSO Northeast 2022
Pole dance, pain tolerance, and privilege
My physical therapist once said to me, “You have a really high tolerance for pain.” I was lying on my back on her treatment table as she kneaded a stainless steel scraping tool into my shoulder. As she worked, she implored, “Just let me know if this is too much.” I was at her clinic … Continue reading Pole dance, pain tolerance, and privilege
I struggle to feel sexy when I pole dance
I’ve never had the pleasure of feeling it, even as someone who gets on a pole and performs it. People start pole for different reasons. Some are drawn in by the crazy athletic feats, as I originally was; others want to find a home within their bodies, which means getting in touch with their sexy … Continue reading I struggle to feel sexy when I pole dance
Why “em dash” and “elbow grip”?
I’ve not had many strong identities throughout my life. But I’ve always been a writer. I started as many writers do—as an avid reader—but I’m not that archetypal bookworm you see in movies and on TV. You know, the one that’s reading Kafka for fun at age thirteen. I mean, I’ve read Kafka, but never … Continue reading Why “em dash” and “elbow grip”?
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Samantha A. Starkey 