Charli as posed us this, this week.
November 18, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write dance into your story. Twirl your characters round and round or stomp your plot onto the page. Use dance in any way that comes to mind. Be specific or free, tango or disco.
I love dancing. Always have. But I lack two things. Style and timing. So I’ve been dad dancing since I was about 16 and first found a disco floor to cut a few shapes.
About 6 years ago a leaflet came through the door – Peter’s Dance Club. We went along to the beginners. Tentative, nervy, keen as a sharply pressed suit. We loved it. It’s not competitive, none of those silly exam thingies, and is just for fun.
And best of all, we are ideally matched. I learn steps with relative facility, learning routines pretty fast. She understands timing, beat and pacing so we start at the right time and go at pretty much the right speed.
We manage a fair repertoire these days – cha cha cha and tango, waltzes and quicksteps, about ten in total. The male lead is anathema, even now – our marriage has been based on a diametrically opposed philosophy. But it works.
I wrote this sonnet, linking our marriage to our dancing.
The hand that guides
Your consoling hand sits light on my sleeve,
A Macavity tap to release me on four;
We set sail, in step, gliding with ease
Past blind spots and honey pots strewn on the floor.
I fumble to catch that elusive toe-tap
Which, if I could, would allow me my head.
You remind me, by way of a quick finger snap,
Of the dangers where taking that path might lead.
I continually try to do it my way,
To give into weakness of flesh and of soul
But you hold the leash tight; I cannot stray
And we remain linked; two parts of one whole.
May it always be thus as we gib and we tack;
You looking forward, my hand at your back.
So, the flash and Mary. She needs a little relaxation after the trauma in Ireland.
Dancing back to the future
‘They led you a merry dance, over that DNA test.’
‘It was tragic really. Her parents invested so much hope in the result…’
‘You too.’
‘I suppose. Katherine really was sweet. Oh Paul…’
Paul held Mary as the tears flowed. She whispered into his ear. ‘I will find my sister. I will.’
In the background, a song came on the radio. Paul eased Mary to her feet. ‘Remember this?’
She smiled. ‘The Palais. 1991. You were drunk.’
‘On love.’
Slowly, clumsily they circled the living-room floor, each recalling a past moment when the future seemed closer than right now.
Here is a link to the previous instalments
TanGental 
Oh my gosh I love that first photo! Actually, the dance class ones too. And the poem. That flash…Excellent.
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Thanks Sarah. We love a good dance even if I do come across as a rather keen walrus in most videos
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I LOVE how you dance with your wife – on the floor and in life! More power to you both!Thank you for making my day 🙂
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That’s so nice. We both love it even if we’d be useless without the other. Perfect match I suppose!
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Are you sure you are safe doing this? After all you are the only person on the planet to seriously injure themselves maypole dancing.
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Shhhhh that’s a dark secret…
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This post is like a trilogy of tender love — the dance with your partner in love; the Sonnet and the flash. Love flows through each step, and thanks for giving Mary a break this week!
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Sarah B has been giving me grief, Norah too for putting her through the ringer. A man can only hold back the monstrous regiment of women for so long!!
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Love this Geoff, love that you and your wife go dancing. Great pics 🙂 It’s mine and hubby’s tenth wedding anniversary next year and we’ve talked about us taking dancing lessons for ages so we can do a little ‘number’ at our party…you’ve inspired me! Beautiful, tender sonnet (I got quite emotional reading it…) and as with the others, yes, phew, glad for the rest for Mary and the sweet dance at the end…oh the memories…
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Yes I think we all have dance related memories.
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What a lovely couple you two make. The sonnet is so sweet! Good job!
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I never had you down as a ballroom dancer, Geoff. I’ve heard that dancing is not only good for keeping trim, but is also good for the soul. Maybe a trip to the Tower Ballroom is on the cards?
It’s a ten from Len…I mean Hugh!
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Now that would be fun.
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Lovely, Geoff: the photos, the pome, the flash. Just wondering whether you’re dancing partner has forgiven us were making you late to a class when we were entertaining our esteemed Australian visitor?
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She’s very forgiving, so long as I make sure I check its ok before I mention her on the blog… Thanks for reading. Anne
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i’m pleased you remembered, Anne. I had been thinking of Geoff rushing off for his dance class all the way through reading this post. I remember feeling quite envious of Linda. Still do. 🙂
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Love the photos and the poem. I’ve been ballroom dancing for years and if anything is my passion it is that. Nothing like a waltz, quickstep or foxtrot or any of the latin numbers to get your heart racing and the feet flying. You are so lucky that this is a pursuit you can do together. Roger hates dancing with perhaps as much passion as I enjoy it. Luckily he is not a jealous man and is happy for me to go dancing by myself but I imagine to dance with the one you love must indeed be special (as your poem showed.) Glad that Mary too enjoyed a dance.
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Indeed it is one great kick in each week
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Lovely post, Geoff. I am so envious that the two of you enjoy dancing together so much. I used to love dancing, but that seems now from another lifetime. There is no way I could get Bob to dance. I think it is a shame. It helps form a very special and strong bond, and is so romantic. As is your poetry. I love the final line – Linda looking forward with your hand at her back. That is a lovely image of togetherness and strength. Thank you also for giving Mary a break and providing her with an opportunity to dance and remember happy times. A lovely post all round. Thank you. 🙂
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Aw, thanks Norah. Yes poor girl deserves a break! And yes, dancing is great fun…
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