Dance of Joy

Beethoven shouted
his incomprehensible joy,
a wind that dared
the whole world
to dance helter-skelter,
glitter on the river,
to dance as melody,
irresistible harmony,
a symphony
to nature’s inhuman splendour:
the gust,
the tide,
the breaking vine
in the figure of a dance.

Kim M. Russell. 7th January 2021

My response to Poets and Storytellers United Weekly Scribblings #51: Looking Back and Writing Forward, also linked to dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night

Magaly is back with the first Weekly Scribblings of 2021 and a choice of challenges from 2020 prompts, ‘looking back and writing forward’. What a tough choice! But I finally decided on one from her list: Weekly Scribblings #43: Found Poems and Erasures. I took a chance on my very thick copy of Edwin Morgan’s Collected poems, opened it at random, right in the middle of ‘The Cape of Good Hope (1955) III  ‘A Dream at the Mysterious Barricades’. Here’s a little New Year’s treat to go with it.

71 thoughts on “Dance of Joy”

    1. Thank you, David! If you click on the link to the past prompt I chose (Weekly Scribblings #43: Found Poems and Erasures), you will find an explanation of this kind of ‘found poem’. I don’t often work with erasures but prefer to write found poems, haiku and other micro or short poetry found in other writing, which could be a longer poem or a piece of prose. Magaly is the queen of erasure or ‘black-out’ poetry,. 🙂

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  7. It’s a treat indeed, Kim. I like the found poetry, folk try very hard to make it right, often pretty like you made this one.
    Good job! Thanks for the digital cut and stack, very nice.
    : )

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  8. Kim, this is beyond wonderful! I know how difficult creating good blackout poetry can be, and this isn’t just good but great. Before I saw the note and the image, I had no idea that it was found poetry–the poem is so smooth, so natural. It even made me wanting to listen to some Beethoven. Your poem speaks of a sort of bliss the right music can bring out of us. Thank you for the reminder!

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  17. Found poetry from book & movie titles can be fun. We did an erasure prompt at d’Verse years ago. I chose a page from McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN and it was fun to do. I adore your poem. I used to take prose paragraphs written by friends, and but in line breaks, creating poetry. They were amazed. By the way, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and fellowship, following me at my photography site, and writing remarkable comments here at d’Verse. You are much appreciated.

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    1. Thanks Glenn. I appreciate your words and love your poetry and photography too. I’m looking forward to the next OLN live, so I can hear your voice again.

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  25. I had Ode to Joy in mind as I read your lovely piece. It reminded me my feet still had plenty of dance left to them yet. I love how the optimism here seems to have a rebel streak. I think I’ll decide to rebel a little this morning and dance too, for all the beautiful things that bring me joy.

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  26. I am quietly listening to jazz while reading poetry today. Two of my top three favorite things to do. Music must be in the cosmos because it was my subject for this OLN. This is a strong wonderful celebration of the power and joy of Ludwig Von’s inspired work — the triumph of his spirit. Fine piece you’ve written here Kim.

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