Poetry Sunday

Later on today I'll be headed out to Dance Studio Lioudmila here in Alexandria to emcee the Spring Showcase, at which 70 couples will demonstrate their skills in front of an audience of their friends and fellow dancers. I'll have the easy part - just announcing their performances and keeping the show moving - but the stars of the day will be those who have worked so hard to perfect their ballroom talents. I think this poem by William Butler Yeats is appropriate for the day ...

Sweet Dancer

by William Butler Yeats

The girl goes dancing there
On the leaf-sown, new-mown, smooth
Grass plot of the garden;
Escaped from bitter youth,
Escaped out of her crowd,
Or out of her black cloud.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!

If strange men come from the house
To lead her away, do not say
That she is happy being crazy;
Lead them gently astray;
Let her finish her dance,
Let her finish her dance.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!

There's a lot to be said for a sport that involves taking a beautiful woman in your arms and holding her close as the music drives you around the floor. It surely beats lifting weights in some smelly gym.

Have a good day, and enjoy the rest of your weekend. More thoughts tomorrow, when Musical Monday returns.

Bilbo