Life Dances is a book of poetry which captures the world-famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre from 1970-1980. The Introduction starts where the critics first begin to call Alvin Ailey "a genius," just after his company returns from its triumphant tour of Russia, "the first American modern dance company to go behind the Iron Curtain." The fact that this is "a black company" makes its success even more significant. Robertu Ras Riley was close to Alvin Ailey and to his art. He was his friend, fellow artist, and fan. In this section of the book, he describes Ailey and his choreography as he...