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Glenn Hughs poetry contest Black Sabbath, "Changes"
A smoky vignette opens up, as if morning fog over the mountain valleys blown by winter winds. Piano notes pulsing in a melancholic, waltz~ like cadence…the plangent tension of one long note on a mellotron held throughout the rhythmic piano notes sounds dolorous and desolate. Images of 18th century couples in formal gowns and elaborate, powdered wigs dance through my mind. The hoop skirts gently sway as the couples move in a pattern, heads thrown back and arms rigidly locked in position. The plaintive, closed throat voice of a man begins to sing, simply…
“ I feel unhappy, I feel so sad. I've lost the best friend that I ever had. She was my woman, I loved her so. But it's too late now, I let her go. I'm going through changes, I'm going through changes. “
The couples spin and dance this waltz all together, covering the dance floor like flowers twirling a wind storm. The fabulously tall and flamboyant wigs disappear as does the pale make up on their faces. The rigid yet beautiful dance continues as couples take turns covering the entire ballroom. At each rotation, there's a change, some detail is different, the moles disappear and are replaced with fake eyelashes and red lipstick. The gentlemen first have hair in low tails clubbed at the neck, then short locks and pompadours. Dresses go from elaborate ball gowns to poodle skirts and then to skimpy spangled dresses. We watch as they dance and convert from one fashion, and one decade, to the next. The final notes ring out, vibrating the room and the couples come to a halt, standing like statues in their perfect waltz form. We realize that although every outward appearance has undergone transformations, some things never change.... Humanities love and dependence on music and the compelling urge to dance to express the emotions that music elicits... surpassing every boundary, race, culture, and people. All of us use this expression in one form or another. An urgent expression of Joy, love, sorrow, passion, pain, and on and on… only able to fully express our feelings through melodies and the poetry of dance.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 12/6/2024 3:13:00 AM
You chose a great song… and even though I couldn’t find Glenn Hughes singing it on video/youtube, I was so inclined to place it on the winning list. I’m running a new Glenn Hughes contest. Please write for it.
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Crystol Woods
Date: 12/6/2024 10:57:00 AM
Il admit I'm not too familiar with Glen Hughes. When I saw he was part of Black Sabbath, a band i did listen to in my teen years, I thought I'd use my fav song from that band. Lol...oops! I guess he was only involved with them briefly. Ty for choosing my poem regardless! I'm honored, and I will try again... after some research! Ty! Xo
Date: 9/16/2024 7:05:00 AM
creative write dear poet. I loved your word combination- poetry of dance congratulations.
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Crystol Woods
Date: 9/16/2024 7:10:00 AM
Thanks much! Xo
Date: 9/16/2024 6:27:00 AM
Well neither of us got 1st place but we gave it the old college try. Yours was certainly worthy Crys
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Crystol Woods
Date: 9/16/2024 7:10:00 AM
Oh well... never give up! We do our best and feel good about the results, that's what matters. Xoxo ty for encouragement!
Date: 9/12/2024 5:23:00 AM
Dear Crystol, What a wonderful read this morning and it is truly a lovely poem. You hit so many of the aspects of society and culture undergoing constant transformation, the core of human emotional experience and our need to express it through art forms like music and dance. Art forms are timeless and do touch every single generation. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
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Crystol Woods
Date: 9/12/2024 7:32:00 AM
It's hard to believe there could be another change in music and style every generation but somehow they do it! Thanks for stopping by! Xo
Date: 9/11/2024 10:43:00 AM
What a beautiful take on the contest, and a profound truth, ie, that romantic connections are often best expressed through dance. All generations. Most cultures. Very cool. I did mine as a take off on War Pigs
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Crystol Woods
Date: 9/11/2024 3:10:00 PM
Tysm Tom... so good to hear from you! I enjoyed your poem on war pigs very much! Xo

Book: Reflection on the Important Things