Dancing in the dark

|1 MINUTE READ | Sometimes we can hear the night sky singing to us

On the sidewalk of a private road
our dinner table preserves
a faux european ambience
even the weather
bows to cooperate
with this subterfuge

I feel anchored
in a rapturous melancholy
and a beer glass
steadily emptied and refilled

The conversation floats
like a kaliedescope
of sentiments and opinions
accumulating into
an imagined form
of who i am

my most precious possession
created from thin air like fiat currency

to be loved or defended,
admired or understood

held by a tenuous warmth
drawn from a comforting memory
the familiar vapour trails
of my existence

Buffeted by a willingness
to both open & discard myself

When we are soaked deep enough
within a tangible dream
that we can see, smell, hear and touch
it is the inert reality beyond it
that seems mystical

That true self
which does not belong
to anybody

intimate, unconditional and universal
like the atmosphere
from which
we draw
our breath

44 thoughts on “Dancing in the dark”

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  1. “That true self , which does not belong to anybody….Like the atmosphere from which we draw our breath”
    Your design of words are inspirational .

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Anand,
      Another beautifully written poem.
      Your choice of words never seem to amaze me _____ what a vocabulary!!!!
      It took me nostalgically. , back to the times when we used to strike up conversations with people ,sitting at a cafe. __ around or near our table.

      Now people are so wary.
      Times have changed.
      Reading your poem makes the whole cafe experience so vivid.
      Your writings have the amazing effect of involving the reader and drawing him/ her in the plot.
      Thanks for sharing

      Liked by 3 people

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    1. “To be loved or defended, admired or understood, held by a tenuous warmth..”

      So observant and insightful! And, you’ve articulated this so beautifully.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply

  13. “my most precious possession
    created from thin air like fiat currency”

    But, unlike a fiat currency, these precious possessions – the willingness and the ability to be both open and discard yourself’ – I hope, they don’t lose their value but become more precious over time. Well expressed and a nice visual to go with it. The visual does evoke the sentiments expressed. Fitting.

    Liked by 4 people

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  19. Yes, it’s the most precious possession and intimate, unconditional and universal. Whatever we lose in life, we never lose this. Beautifully expressed dear Ananda. Thank you 🙏❤😊

    Liked by 3 people

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  20. Thank you for sharing your intimate musings, about a special evening…..

    Compulsory Covid-19 physical separation, desire to be in the company of friends, a bit of alcohol in the system, and the short spell of ‘snuggle’ weather will do it for those who are able to reflect internally!!”

    Liked by 3 people

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  23. Incredibly beautiful! I wonder though the inspiration for the title… The spectrum you cover through the poem traverses beyond dancing just in the night…

    Liked by 3 people

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  25. Really excellent crafting of words touching everyone’s lives. While perusal, we were away from our own self & got mingled with nature.
    Thanks for sharing & do keep them sending. Regards

    Liked by 3 people

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  28. An instant favourite, Ananda. I say instant, but there is a languorous quality to this, a certainty that there is much meaning to be found if one lingers on the words and spaces between them. You’ve painted such a vivid picture with so few words, I am amazed.

    Liked by 6 people

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  30. “When we are soaked deep enough
    within a tangible dream
    that we can see, smell, hear and touch
    it is the inert reality beyond it
    that seems mystical….”
    This is beautiful ❤️
    Read and reread, what you’ve painted here is magical!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  35. Ananda,
    Your poem resonates with me. It is a fantastic creation. I would like to reflect back these lines with appreciation,

    my most precious possession
    created from thin air like fiat currency

    That true self
    which does not belong
    to anybody

    Thank you for sharing your voice.
    Ali

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  36. Why do we like faux European ambience ? Does that really stir up romance ? Loved your dance in the dark … sometimes we see clearer in the darkness because we are more focused on what we are looking for

    Liked by 1 person

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  41. Wow. I have to say that again….Wow. So evocative of those special evenings when the world is full and expanding and we along with it. Such a familiar atmosphere and feeling that must linger, because you took me right there. This is beautiful. Thank you!

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