I wrote this analogy of the brief intimacy of dance encounters - now I feel shy releasing it!
My date was a wavy-haired blond blue-eyed Hamburg-born Canadian - A 'Hamburger', he called himself! Driving the 4 hr drive from Vancouver to Kelowna in his black Corvette, we were meeting for dinner. I left work this blazing summer evening directly to the lakeside restaurant.
This was the perfect date on a perfect summer evening.
Waning light of dusk replaced the hot sun with a balmy breeze that was a breathy kiss on bare shoulders. Walking after dinner, with firm confidence he took my hand in his. I wasn't prepared for that, but stayed my hand, thinking, 'Okay, I can manage a little hand holding.'
We passed many people I knew enjoying the delicious summer evening. It was great to be seen - with a hunky guy holding my hand - ya know what I mean? ;)
Starry Night over the Rhone, c.1888van Gogh, Vincent
Affordable Art
Chatting along the waterfront promenade, I was telling him about my dance lessons and dancing.
"I love dancing!" he said
"You do?!" I was astonished - few men relate positively to dance (I think they're really intimidated by it, but instead they put on a tough act)
" Yes, I get to hold a woman in my arms for three minutes. For a beautiful few moments we're close - I feel her beauty and warm body in the embrace. We may never have met, may not again, but for now, this brief time we're intimate - gliding and whirling - and it's all socially acceptible!
You cannot do this at any other time with a stranger, except for dancing! For some reason when you're dancing it's okay! Even if it's some jealous guy's wife, it's okay!"
The surfer-blond hunk of a guy gazed into the twilight over the lake.
Then he swept me up, danced a few steps and kissed me! Now - this was far too quick for me! Whew! Flustered, in ridulous dizzy flap, trying to straighten my feathers and regain composure, my words stumbled out, feeling surreal, telling him that was too fast!
Autumn Light
Art PrintBrauer, Billclick for details
The starry night canopied overhead as we sat on a bench at lakeside. It was a perfect evening in every way. And then it was finished.
It is just that way with dance - you dance the dance - then the partners go their way.
This is the only time I've experienced such an openly delightful and spontaneous expose of dance and of course it has stayed with me since.
The art of partner dance is an enactment and mirroring of human love ritual, courting, and drama in intimacy that is rarely even thought of with the logical mind. We engage in the movement, even with total strangers that we would not normally. We learn the dance and love the movement, but does the symbolism we're representing enter conscious thought?
It appears an art of reverence for something we hold sacred, yet one we don't address.
Why is it that we engage in the act of the art and yet keep from entering consciously into the enactment we're engaging in? Does it defy words? Are we too shy? Is the wild nature inside too much for the 'civilized' mind?
Why is it?
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman, established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years in Kelowna. Returning to Interiors & Staging Real Estate Property Presentation she is pleased to offer consultation and complete services.
You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find over 90 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features community, environmental and human interests.
Deborah,
Wow, I love your writing and stories. I felt like I was there. You have a wonderful way of capturing the reader, taking them in, and then making them think. Dance is so beautiful. I have never thought of it in those terms. Your insight is remarkable. A reason to dance.
Thank you again for your wonderful and thought provoking writings. That was beautiful!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Kathleen - lu-uvvv those hearts! There are many reasons to dance, yes - it is wonderful in so many ways - this lovely gentleman really had a good handle on the intimate aspect of partner dancing - very observant I thought.
I'm so very grateful for your kind encouragement. You dance, do you not? I seem to recall from a previous post?
<3 ;)
Great post, lovely writing and imagery!
I have never read anything that describes dance so brilliantly. The evening, the atmosphere, the emotions of dancing swept us all with you into those moments. You have a writing gift, Deborah. Thanks for taking us all to this place.
As to your questions, I do think our culture is very inhibited about our bodies. Which is probably why we all love " Dancing with the Stars" and enjoy watching other cultures cut loose. Smarter minds that mine can likely answer why. Good questions, though, something to think about.
I think I need to dance more often!!!
You got it Vanessa! We are '... looking everywhere but straight at it.' '...dancing bodies know by rote~...' because we are hard wired instinctively for intimacy and to dance the dance!
Thanks for your pertinent comments!
Bonnie - how kind and meaningful your comments are.
Yes go dancing! The questions were asked to provoke thought and get insights - which you presented very well, in fact! I agree that watching others freer than ourselves helps our bodies and psyches 'remember' that we're rythmic sensual creatures.
loved it - i have that painting of Bill brauer.........in my bedroomi'
Wow Liz - that's an awesome piece by Bill Brauer! I love his work - Aw, so nice of you; glad you enjoyed reading.
Hi Deborah ... Beutifully expressed; I can feel the summer evening and your excitement. And dance! I do love it. A wonderful way to describe what I've heard referred to as a vertical expression of a horizontal desire. You are the wordsmith!!
BTW ... I remember ... the lettuce boycott ... Caesar Chavez (nothing to do with dance but if I do not say it when I remember it ....)