Floor-sweeping gowns
Gracefully turn.
The orchestra plays
In a romantic way.
A corner of skirt
Held in the hand
Beautifully draping
In splendid display.
The couples twirl
across the floor,
Gliding with elegance
In their limbs.
The music floats
Light as a cloud
As feet tilt and turn
And the dance floor skim.
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This is in response to dVerse’s poetry prompt, Meet the bar waltzing. Bjorn, this was an interesting prompt indeed.
Some of you may know that I am a fan of Gershwin, so I thought of this scene from An American in Paris, Gershwin’s tribute to Strauss. The original lyrics (not included in the movie) include a little joke on himself,
“Away with the music of Broadway!
Be off with your Irving Berlin
Oh, I’d give no quarter
To Kern or Cole Porter
And Gershwin keeps pounding on tin.”
And for some actual Strauss and beautiful waltzing …
Good write, and thanks for the bit of Gershwin humor!
Thank you, and I’m glad you enjoyed the Gershwin humor. 🙂
I love the jazzy sway of those skirts and the lightness!
Thank you, Ingrid. <3
You created a lovely image of those waltzes and waltzers.
It’s funny how what we now consider sedate was seen as a scandalous.
Thank you, Merril. 🙂 Is your comment about scandal referring to jazz, (Gershwin, Porter, etc.)?
No–although I guess that, too. 😀 I meant waltzing because the couples were so close and face-to-face.
I see. 🙂 Yes, things have changed. Some of the dancing that goes on today would make those dissenters of the past outright faint.
😀
Love the way you describe the waltz… it’s enticing, and somehow I think we really dream about to swirl in a waltz.
Thank you, Bjorn. I’m glad you liked it. Thank you for providing such an interesting prompt.
Wonderful waltzing poem and I enjoyed your musical selections.
Ah, thank you. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed.
You’re welcome 🙂
The combination of photography and poetry is delightful!!!
Oh, I’m so glad you like it, Helen. 🙂
Beautiful Susan. I love the images your share throughout the poem.
Thank you, Dwight. 🙂
You are welcome.
🙂
I love the ‘corner of skirt held in the hand’ – what a wonderful capture!
Thank you, Kim. I’m glad you enjoyed that. 🙂
Lovely poem AND I had no idea that American in Paris HAD original lyrics! And I thought I knew stuff 😉
Thank you.
Haha – so sorry I read too quickly. I see that now. – Still a lovely poem though!
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It would be interesting if the instrumental piece “An American in Paris” had lyrics. I think it would be challenging to sing. 😛 🙂
Ha! Yes. I was thinking: now that can NOT have been good.
Ha ha. 🙂
This was s wonderful waltz around the floor Susan, well written.
Thank you, Rob. 🙂
Enjoyed this! 💃
Thank you, Tricia. 🙂
I so love this part:
The music floats
Light as a cloud
Thank you, Grace. I’m glad you like it. 🙂