The Ancient Cambodian Dancer -

In that meteoric moment
she exhibited eternal qualities of wonderfully wrought womanhood,
calm,disciplined and candid,
adorned with few distinctions from the rest behind her
the loving leadership was projected in painstaking posture,
brutal perfection,a suffering of diligence amounting to total serenity,
she being a gem amongst stones,
for inexperience a cure,
synchronicity simple & symetrical like ripples in a river,
the troupe twirls & turns as leaves whirl gingerly in pools of water livid,
their torsos taut like trunks of young & vital trees,faces flowers,
brilliant when in cold morning view,
hands impossibly curved on extended arms,hearts placid,
without looking the dancers drape their faith 
upon the integrity of her warm luminosity,
the lead lioness quietly commands their orbiting obeisance,
in her hushing eyes the sparkle of a rich race communicates confection
to the contemplative congregation,
she is a Godess in the midst of nymphs,

something dangerous,calamitous,manifested mutely in the expression 
of a posterior dancer
whom strangely stares at the back & soul of the leading lady in stance,
this suggestive & supportive figure embodying dispassionate envy,
strategically laying seige 
to the gloriously innocent leader of this cultural romance,
a reminder reminiscent of Eve's two children 
in the forgotten fields of antiquity
where success was hunted savagely by the weakness 
inherent amid imps -

This poem is premised upon a photograph of a traditional Cambodian dance troupe -

J.A.B.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012



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Date: 6/12/2015 1:05:00 AM
Hello Justin nice to see your poem featured on the soup's home page. SKAT
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Justin Bordner
Date: 6/15/2015 2:03:00 PM
Beauty, leadership, and primordial conflict manifest in the granduer of these ladies, a poem of ancient purpose that I am proud to share Skat. Your kindness makes me happy, thank you...J.A.B.
Date: 9/12/2012 8:53:00 AM
This is beautiful and passionately written.
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Justin Bordner
Date: 9/12/2012 11:22:00 PM
Beauty is that which is in accordance with our natures Jay, ergo, you find beauty in this write my friend because you must see youself in this art - I thank you for the warm compliment my Sister Of The Quill - J.A.B. %
Date: 8/21/2012 9:52:00 PM
Why am I at the loss of words...ah...well....this was amazing? Hah. Anyway, you have a way with words that captures me in the subject. I can see everything in the mind's eye. You describe so well and with a strong message. Always, Laura
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Justin Bordner
Date: 8/23/2012 4:51:00 PM
Thanks for sustaining my purpose Laura - you've got a large heart! J.A.B.
Date: 7/26/2012 3:17:00 PM
wow, impressive vocabulary to describe this photograph. It takes great perception and/or imagination to read these feelings into what you see from a picture. I love the way you compare the one in back to Cain!
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Justin Bordner
Date: 7/30/2012 6:08:00 PM
The funny thing is Andrea,the photograph wrote it! Thanks for the love - J.A.B.
Date: 7/24/2012 5:14:00 PM
Your words have set before me a powerful and graphic image. You are one of my favorite poets here. Welcome, word master..May I see the photograph? Brenda Atry
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Justin Bordner
Date: 7/25/2012 1:04:00 PM
You already have it Brenda; your imagination has made the perfect rendition - As I've told you before Brenda, your work deserves the highest praise;I'm excited about our relationship -you have powerful spirit - your compliment overjoys me - J.A.B.
Date: 7/23/2012 11:06:00 AM
Welcome to PS. A great poem to share. Will read more of your work.
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Justin Bordner
Date: 7/23/2012 10:57:00 PM
Please do,I write for you as much as anyone,or anything else - I am grateful for your encouragement -looking forwards to your spaces & rhymes- J.A.B.
Date: 7/23/2012 6:55:00 AM
You see much into and beyond this ritual dance, Justin. (must be that eye avatar). Will make us all wish to take a glimpse at this photograph! I think I will now always look at pictures with a different perspective. Enjoying your creativity and boundless imagery, Justin!! Best wishes, Mikki
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Justin Bordner
Date: 7/23/2012 10:54:00 PM
Empathy is my Eye to the everlasting Mikki - I learn much from your creations & kindness Mikki,thanks - undoubtably,sometime pictures deserve voic eof our craft - J.A.B. %
Date: 7/23/2012 2:18:00 AM
Lovely poem Justin - Lovely description of a superb leading lady and the pains and struggles it takes to execute such a dance. And what's up with the posterior dancer? -Not cool.
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Justin Bordner
Date: 7/23/2012 11:02:00 PM
Not cool at all Vicky,envy is ugly as apathy is ignorant - so glad you found something to love in this composition-I respect you much - keep dancing!!! J.A.B.
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