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Notes About The Poem

Written 29th August, 2026 for Dancing Blind Poetry Contest sponsored by Eve Roper

Dancing Without Sight:

For people who are blind or visually impaired, dancing in the middle of a dance floor is possible — and often more intuitive — because they rely on other senses and spatial awareness rather than visual cues.

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” — Robert Fripp

Anchored to the Sound

She grips a guiding hand,
      stepping through the heavy door.
            Her weight is shifting, hesitant,
                  wading through the tangled noise,
                        a momentary, shallow breath.
  
The rhythm shifts to meet her step.
        The bass spills down,
              a thick and pouring wine.
                    She lets the guiding fingers fall,
                          stepping onto the busy floor
                                letting the vibration pull her in.

                                She maps the floor sound.
                          The subwoofers push
                    a steady, throbbing north.
              She doesn’t flinch at the sudden rush
        of a shoulder spinning past,
  just rides the static wake.

  Her body catches on the groove.
        A sweeping, arch of spine
              that cuts through the flashing haze.
                    The crush of bodies hesitates,
                          stepping back they clear the floor,
                                leaving her to perform.

                                 I see her read the dark in drafts.
                                       A perfect pivot on the sticky tile.
                                              She traces friction from a sliding sole,
                                      and drinks the deep vibration up,
                                 her body anchored to the sound.

danceinspirationalmusicsoundfree verse

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Nette Onclaud

August 30, 2026 at 2:52 PM

body dynamics...a remarkable attention to detail and progression of thought, ali...a pietoc delight

Alison A Smith

August 30, 2026 at 8:57 PM

Thanks Nette, it was a delight to put myself in a blind person's place and envisage what would be needed.💃

Millard Lowe

August 30, 2026 at 2:23 PM

Wow! mind, body, and soul bound to the rhythmic flow of the beat on the floor! the heart feels the beat, and sends it to the feet; and the spirit navigates all that needs to be seen and choregraphed. Amazing! I enjoyed this cancassing flow before I read its contest motivation: popping my fingers and tapping my sage feet. Love this profound poetic performing composition. Thanks for the share. Enjoyed. One, peace and love, M. Lowe.

Alison A Smith

August 30, 2026 at 8:56 PM

Thank you Millard, I am glad it got your toes tapping.👣