THE DANCE
In the late
afternoon sun
of February,
in a room
resplendent
with hearts,
we dance
the polka in
old world style
to long-playing
records that skip
with contentment,
while the crows
on the wall look
impassively on.
I see nothing
but your cornflower
blue eyes.
I feel nothing
but your warm sweet
breath on my cheek.
Your expression says,
let’s dance till the
crows call our names.
In the late
afternoon sun
of February,
in a room
resplendent
with hearts,
we dance
the polka in
old world style
to long-playing
records that skip
with contentment,
while the crows
on the wall look
impassively on.
I see nothing
but your cornflower
blue eyes.
I feel nothing
but your warm sweet
breath on my cheek.
Your expression says,
let’s dance till the
crows call our names.
31 comments:
What a lovely Valentine for your sweetheart, whichever cornflower blue-eyed gal or boy that may be!
You have the gift of creating a world and populating it with memorable characters and telling their story in a strong voice.
This is truly lovely.
Great ending! I always love when a poet can really put a flourish on their ending! Lovely poem.
There is such a great atmosphere and focus in your poems, K. Here, we have a rather elaborate, airy setting, that when you zero in, only serves to accentuate the warm intimacy of their connection. You tunnel in on what's important, but always so smoothly and with such beautiful detail, that I know you're taking me somewhere real. Because you so obviously see it in your mind.
And that last stanza is just lovely. *sigh* Thank you for showing us how it's done! :)
Karen - Now its my turn to keep a secret! Let me just say that I was dancing with a very special guy. lol - Thanks for the very generous comments. I value your thoughts and opinions. ;)
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Hi Bob - What a lovely compliment! I appreciate it greatly, especially coming from a poet who puts a fine flourish on every poem!
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Sarah - I thank you so much for those munificent remarks. It is such a joy to be read by people who appreciate what one tries to accomplish with poetry.
Your support means a lot to me, as always.
What a wonderful description of that sensation of loveliness in romance. 'until the crows call our names', since that will never happen, sounds like he wants you to dance forever! I also love the structure of this poem. The whole thing is exquisite. Did you take the photo? What a gorgeous room!
There is a savory thread that runs through your poetry and visits here too. Beauty touched by shadow. Not even so harsh as "bittersweet." Like smiling at sunlight while something just out of view casts a darkness at the edge of vision.
Here, there is a kind of joy in that darkness. In the call of the crows.
"long-playing
records that skip
with contentment" - even the music in this has warmth & charm - and i love that it is all unspoken - simply heard and seen and felt and danced - beautifully.
Very nice! I hope the crows will not call your names for a long time... and don't go planting any weeping willows, etc, etc.
Simply beautiful love. Of the "til death do us part" variety.
Even when the crows call their names, I sense there will be no regret, no fear, only joy...
:)
Ha! brilliant piece Ms.Lawson..and we will dance and dance--but never stand on ceremony..you must really dance for the passion involved! Splendid.
Hi Cat - I appreciate all the wonderful things you say here, thank you! I am always a hopeless romantic, but at this time of year, especially, my thoughts are laced with all those sentimental little hearts, in glorious profusion. No, I didn't take the picture - I am definitely not a good photographer...like other people I know. (you, for instance) ;P
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Jason - so eloquently put. You have recognized a certain poetic style that seems to run through my work. I believe that is accurate - "beauty touched by shadow." Thank you for your very discerning comment.
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Hi, Joaquin. I was very happy to have come up with that line..I have to say. ;) While the record wasn't really skipping...it did have that great "crackling" quality so characteristic of old LP's, but not so much that the music couldn't be heard or enjoyed. I am appreciative, as always, for your sincere comments.
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Rab, thank you for stopping in and leaving a nice comment, and for that beautiful wish - and no, I would never plant a weeping willow tree. :)
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Aine - that is such a sweet sentiment - thank you. (made me tear up) *?*
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Clay - Thanks for that wonderful compliment on this poem. ;) Yes, dancing has always been a big part of my life, and you are so right, my friend, it is about passion!
What a splendid, light-hearted, moment of love you've captured in here, Kaye... Beautiful...
And the picture is magnificent.
There's something waiting for you at my site... :-)
Vesper - thank you very much! A splendid, light-hearted time, calls for a splendid light-hearted poem. lol :D
Why thank you, M'am! I will be over in a bit to see what it is!!
<3
....and I have returned hand in hand with my lady..we are spinning to some obscure intermezzo, and then...and then...Poof! I awaken to empty cartons of Chinese food and piles of mead notebook paper. Ah, well. I'm a dancer at heart.
mmm- The sweet tender dance of sweethearts.
Details like "I seen nothing but your cornflower blue eyes", and the contrast of their tight embrace/eyelock to
"records that skip", "crows...look impassively on" enrich their intimate circle.
P.S. This is how I feel whenever I dance with my husband. (We love the polka.)
A crow called out, Award Award Award! It's on my blog for you K.
Clay - LOL! Well, dancing in dreams is wonderful too. But, I am sure you are a fine dancer in real life! :)
And..yeah...ya gotta watch that Chinese food late at night! ;P
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Gel - That's great that you dance the polka with your husband! I think it so much fun to be whirled around and around. My husband is Lithuanian, so dancing the polka is a tradition, here, in the Lithuanian community. Thanks for "dancing" in with your sweet remarks!
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Cat - hahaha....what a nice way to receive it - from a crow messenger! Many thanks for giving me an award. You are such a dear blogger friend. <3 K
a beautiful poem and picture.... let’s dance till the crows call our names
In that kingdom, the Wallachian-Hungarian family of Korvin had flourish in 1400, and a baroque legend argues them descending from one of the Roman Gens Valerii. At one time there was in Rome a distinguished patrician named Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, a Roman general who got the agnomen Corvinus in the following manner: The Roman Army moved against the Barbarians, and before the battle began, a warrior of great size and strength came forward and challenged anyone in the Roman cavalry to single combat, whereupon Valerius stepped forward. Just as he was about to engage the barbarian, a raven flew from a trunk, perched upon Valerius's helmet, and began to attack his foe’s eyes with its beak so fiercely that the warrior was blind. With this, the Roman beat him easily, and from that time, Valerius was called Corvinus (from Corvus, "Raven").
Ghost Dansing - thank you so much. I appreciate your compliment. I followed your link...very interesting lore and thanks for the story posted. :)
Oh my... Now I know I better make time to drop you an email. For now, I have to leave you in suspense...
Gel...I am on the edge of my seat! ;D
Your expression says,
let’s dance till the
crows call our names.
Wonderful poem.......
It's so good to see you again, K! I always feel as if I'm receiving a gift when I come to your blog. This is beautiful. The words literally dance on the screen! I love the ending, too. Wonderful work, as always! And happy Valentine's Day to you:)
Ilesh - Welcome to Old Mossy Moon. I thank you kindly for your compliment on my poem. Please stop in again. :)
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Julie - glad to see you didn't end up in a barrel! :P Many thanks for the nice remarks on my poem. I am always happy to see you. I'll stop by later on to see what's up. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too! <3
K. In the typical of Old Mossy Moon style, beautiful, enchanting and this one romantic..
The picture is so fitting, I love the old world feel..
This is why you are one of of my favorite blogs, you instill the inspirations for my writings.
Thanks K, for your great response to my posting, it is very appreciated...
George - Thank you so much for all those really wonderful words. I am fortunate to have such great blogger friends like you. ;D
It is mutual, K.
George - :D
beautyful dance, the music coming from every corner of your poem.
utopianfragments - what a lovely comment. Thank you very much.
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