Sway

The beauty of dancing with my best friend; being accepted, understood in that love and this body. Dancing with her touched me so deeply (deeper than she realised!) We both love Dean Martin's 'Sway'

(for Michele, mutual BFFs)

 

Young eyes watching

  dancing couples, happy,

strobe lighting of school discos,

the music, the rhythm stirring within.

Watching, wanting, yearning

   to be a part, uninhibited, but

  awkward, cumbersome movements.

A shame now, a soul fading into silence,

infatuations, desires, a chance for closeness

  burns in uneasiness, self consciousness.

Opportunities missed, laying in

  darkness lonely, empty.            

 

From time to time glimpses, but

  embarrassing movements, feelings uncomfortable.

Longing for freedom, for expression

  to move the way I feel inside,

moved by music, rhythm, to see other's expression,

just for a moment to be someone, something else.

To be someone to someone, but

  the memory of previous times,

the light dimming.      

 

Years go by ....               

the night drawing on,

her asking, 'Let's dance!'

She undaunted, no embarrassment just love,

a love, an acceptance, an understanding.

A country hall, a band and hay bales,

two people, one mind joined forever

  in ways only we know.  

Music playing softly, eyes meeting

  in words of no words.      

                              

Two bodies gently holding,

two hearts, one soul

  clinging, clutching with

  fingers entwined,

only smiles, laughter.

Swaying  slowly in a love

  beyond words, unfathomable.

Patience, acknowledgement,

the light of acceptance.

The time brief, but oh so beautiful,

meaningful in a connection deep.     

 

She in my arms, I am made strong

  through our oneness in soul.

Now beyond watching, beyond yearning

  I am one of them, one of two,

us together, our world.

She in my arms, just to be me,

to be us and nothing else matters

  in that moment.

For me a sensation different,

the beauty of that moment.      

 

In her arms, I am liberated,

set free of awkwardness, shame

  through a knowing deep;

the music of our music speaking    

  in words silent.                               

In her arms, exhilarating, thrilling,

dreamy, swept away in ardour.

In her arms, I am someone else

  in an understanding, acceptance beyond.

Smiles of adoration, trust, devotion,

I surrender to music, freedom, to friendship’s love.

Our story still being told and forever so.       

 

Another time, another place .....                                

the night late, smiles aplenty,

spirits high with birthday cheer,

my asking, ‘Let’s dance!’

Dancing in the shadows,

swaying to background acoustics,

entwining of souls,

the eyes, the smiles, for both

  a knowing, savouring a moment between.

She dancing for us, but

  we're here in this moment,

disability melting away.       

 

All our memories, sharing,

our friendship love melting

  in those moments;

of times and places,

of smiles and laughter

  running together in

  a love undefined!        

 

 

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I have a long list of favorite songs, but at the top right now (being August) is "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young . . . your poem is the first time any artful expression has ever come close to what I feel when I listen to Neil's lyrics. I've never done much dancing in my life, but I wish I had. I wish I had known about every sweet detail you share here, as far as the magic of two people sharing a rare connection. Sorry for being sexist, but this is the most exquisite I've ever heard a man describe his feelings about getting physical with a woman & it's all about spirit & love, hardly sensual at all (very sensory, tho!) I can't believe how you go on & on about this . . . I never knew anybody had that much inside about dancing with a special person. I love it when a writer goes that extra mile (I have a bad habit of being skittish about pouring it all out there). Your poem teaches me so much about how it can be (((HUGS)) Fondly, Margie

[Richard M]

Thanks Margie for reading and reviewing this and for your words. This is one of my best. I usually don't divulge such things either, but these times touch the depths of my soul. I always wonder as to whether some circumstances and experiences in life deepen ones sensory and meanings intensity. Thank you again for reading and glad you liked it. I like "Harvest Moon" also.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...good ole Dean Martin! Now there's an Italian I would have loved to have brought home to mom! I once heard it said that dancing is only a conversation between two people. There's nothing like the feeling of a man's arms around me. Love the dance you've interpreted here, Richard. Good to me you!

[Richard M]

Thanks Kelly for reading. Good to meet you too! :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Richard i absolutely love this
i dont dance but did meet my ex husband (now live out life partner for a few years) hes my soulmate, at the balmain town Hall bush dance back in the late 70s. This brought back a few memories of that wonderous night. We have never danced since only once we were tipsy a few years ago to some of his old lps we had blaring in his small flat. I love this poem you wrote and i wish i had taken dnce lessons but feel now i wouldnt be fast enough. thanks for your lovely piece of work

[Richard M]

Julie, thank you for reading and for telling me of your story. This poem and these moments, just the deepest feelings and meaning to me. I'm glad you liked it and thank you.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

most very welcome

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah, the dance. They say dancing is a vertical interpretation of a horizontal act and that is so true. Your words sway on the page, Richard. In the arms of the right partner, the world disappears and the two of you only have eyes for one another. So very romantic. Lydi**

[Richard M]

Thank you Lydia for your beautiful words. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem 😊

[Chris Shaw]

This is a beautiful write. Wonderful that a dance could have such an uplifting effect on you Richard. How it made you feel strong and liberated. Your words are very moving. I danced along with you.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you Chris for reading. These situations touched me so deeply and profoundly and my emotion was rattled with such a sense of acceptance, understanding and friendship love.
Glad you liked it. Thank you for the dance ;)

[Chris Shaw]

If friends can make you feel that way, then they are very special indeed :)) happy to dance along with you Richard.

Chris

[Richard M]

You are very sweet Chris, thank you 😊

[Ally Ann]

This entire poem makes me long to dance with someone I love, your words are so powerful. There is a sort of nostalgia that I feel in this that I love and I was so entrapped in the words you wrote. I loved how you wrote, "She undaunted, no embarrassment just love". That feeling of freedom from embarrassment is something that I feel when I truly trust and love someone, and that line really captures that. I really liked this poem!

[Richard M]

Thank you Ally for reviewing 'Sway.' It is one of my best and certainly the deepest and most meaningful to me. Yes, "she undaunted, no embarrassment, just love" was such a huge emotional release/relief for me in contrast to those earlier times described. Thank you for reading and your words.

[Onlyme]

aw this was beautiful and sentimental at one point sad then uplifting then amazing.

[Richard M]

Thank you so much Dee. So glad you like it. These times when we dance just touch me so very deeply and my love for my BFF is endless. It's always occasion when we meet, to dance. Good for our souls; only we know! Writing this was so easy! Thank you so much for reviewing :)