You Danced With Me

A sultry trip to New Orleans with a lover from long ago inspired me to write this tale of desire and friendship mixed into one beautiful story.

Maybe it was the heat that drew us to each other, there, on that love-worn wooden dance floor. The kind of heat which was less about temperature and more about sensation.

The gentle breeze outside the open door became hotter as it permeated the interior of that old backstreet bar. It was sultry and sexy and relentless. The music from within seemed to beckon me from the street, inviting me in like an old friend. From the moment I crossed the aged oak threshold, my spirit lifted. It was familiar. I felt immediately as if I belonged. The small space became that much more intimate and the music was fluid and sensual. It was a quiet force which simply took over me and which left me no other choice but to move with it. I smiled, allowing my body and soul to simply drink it in.

The uncompromising mix of bodies and sweat moved slowly and unabashedly to the live N'awlins beat. You, the self-prescribed non-dancer, sat rather comfortably in that rickety chair as you watched me discover my own beat on that small and intimate dance floor. I can still see your blue eyes twinkling at me as you smiled, drawing your ice cold beer bottle to your mouth.

You were a local there once upon a time. You told me how much you wanted to show me your New Orleans. The city where you lived a lifetime ago. Earlier that day we walked through your old neighborhood, meandering through City Park, passing under those glorious centuries-old oaks with branches low enough that the draping Spanish moss caressed our arms as it drifted all around us.

You spoke to me of your past lovers there who taught you how to experience pure, unadulterated joy. Of your gentle roommate who was murdered there because he was gay. The old ship captain who took you in and kept you riveted with his stories of the sea. And how you came to meet the woman you knew would one day become your wife.

I loved you then, listening to you tell your tales. Bare your thoughts that only I would learn of. Your witty commentary drew me to you without effort. Your pure honesty gave me hope. We only just met and I became intimately aware that, before you, I felt rather like a sunflower must after dusk -- my soul was tired and I was waiting for the sun to lift my face so I could feel its intense warmth, wanting to be desired and loved and gloriously happy -- if only for a few hours. And I was. You lifted my soul and made me feel whole as only a lover can.

You showed me how to live as a lover and then you danced with me.

Reviews

[Onlyme]

This was sheer pleasure to immerse yourself inside your head and heart as we read your story Expressed so fondly and lovingly.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story written dear Dianne. We learn from great teachers and than we become the teacher.
"my soul was tired and I was waiting for the sun to lift my face so I could feel its intense warmth, wanting to be desired and loved and gloriously happy -- if only for a few hours. And I was. You lifted my soul and made me feel whole as only a lover can."
I liked and I understood the above lines. once I was the listener and today I'm the storyteller. Thank you for sharing the outstanding story.
Coyote

[SSKaitlyn]

When you said love-worn dance floor I imagined countless couples, in heart-rendering embraces as they glide along the floor, their hearts and feet in sync. They're afterimages, of past dances. Ghostly but beautiful.

The descriptions bring so much life to each pieces meaning, and I can picture every detail. It makes me envious of a love like that. And at that last line, it was like tying a breathtaking bow onto the prettiest present. I feel like it should be a quote that one can share, because it's meaningful, and well written.

It really is quite beautiful. From start to finish. Thank you for the read.

[DianneR]

You are too kind, thank you for your beautiful words. I so wanted to share the same sense of being that I felt in the magical few hours we spent there. I'm so happy that it came across for you.