The moon is bright in the night sky while casting shadows into the room. A beam illuminates a floor vase containing several rose stems – yet the floor was open.
They lock eyes. He gives a slight nod and extends his hand as he hears the music. She glances down, then slowly raises her head displaying her coy face. She gently touches his hand. Without words, he slowly leads her to the floor.
They stop. Without connecting their eyes she accepts by moving closer to him. He gently embraces her and awaits the right beat while slowly lowering their joint grasp nearer to them.
He moves is a subtle way. She responds to the signals as a language. She moves her legs indicating her presence and interest.
He slowly walks. Their heads are close, but their eyes do not connect. She wants to see him, but her eyes remain closed. Without sight, she responds. Their legs touch; sometimes as a slow caress. Other times as a sharp flick. He gently guides her sleek frame to swivel – sometimes slow – other than quick.
Their arms and the embrace physically connect their bodies as one. The music connects their souls. Although their mental images are different, their thoughts are the same – yet they move as one.
Their embrace strengthens – but not physically. They transport each other. He continues leading to the rhythms and images in his mind. She responds with her desires.
He slows – leading to a gradual stop. The music ends. They pause.
The room is empty. There is no music. The moon shines on them casting a shadow of one onto the floor. They stare into each others eyes … and a rose blooms.
Full Disclosure: As the Categories in the sidebar indicates, writing fiction is not my forte. Once I saw this video, a story unfolded in my mind, which led to another meager attempt at fiction. Even though fiction is outside my comfort zone, I appreciate your feedback. For those who don’t know, the dance is Argentine Tango. Thanks for reading the 282-word story.
This is beautiful !
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Holly,
Beauty was one of the adjectives I was going for. I just love the video.
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Me too! Have a wonderful day.
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Go out and may the day great!
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This was lovely, Frank! I would not call this a meager attempt! Maybe a tweak here or there but on the whole, sensuous and perfectly matched to the video…
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Dale,
Thanks for the encouragement. I now notice my ending was too subtle for what I wanted. For the record, the video ends differently than the story. Nonetheless, fun to write … and I knew that a story was there the first time I saw the video.
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Doesn’t matter. I saw that 😊
It was your muse… Doesn’t have to be exact!
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🙂
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BTW …. This just came to me …. A lover of tango that we both know hasn’t seen this!
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I know. What UP with dat? We shall have to go searching for the lovely RRR…
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I know … but she usually senses when we talk about her.
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That she does… 😉
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I told you … the lady has super cyber ears!
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No kidding!
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Read every word. Felt the rhythm. Moved the moves. Heard the soft flutter of fabric and swish of light soul/sole caresses. Ears rang because you two talk about me behind my back. Just stop!
Loved this Frank. You knew that, too. Again. One day we’ll get our dance…Xoxo RRR
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Hooray … Raye is in the house! Given the dance, I was hoping you would see this one. Glad you enjoyed it … but you have super-sensitive cyber ears with great sensing ability!
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No way, José… we’re not saying nuthin’ mean.. we loves ya, Ms RRR! xoxo
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Your descriptions were so well written I knew it was the Argentine Tango Frank. And you are also a romantic – bringing that final touch to the end of the dance 🙂 Most enjoyable 🙂
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Pauline,
You’re too kind. I just re-read my ending, and I didn’t create enough questions in the reader’s mind. Oh well – that’s what I get for not revisiting it later for a fresh look.
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So beautiful, and so romantic… You know dear Frank, dance and tango mean so much for me. I dance with the music in my mind…Thank you, Happy Valentine’s Day, Love, nia
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Nia,
Glad you enjoyed this and thank you for the kind words. I’m also very happy that you saw this because I know how much you enjoy Tango. When I decided when I would post this, I didn’t realize it would be up on Valentine’s Day. Joy to you on this day!
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Dear Frank, I always visit your blog, just can’t write always, it was so nice to be on this day, Welcome and Thank you, love, nia
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Nia … you never have to apologize to me for anything … you are a gem … and I always appreciate you stopping by no matter if you comment or not. Of course you know how much I enjoy replying. 🙂
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Good Morning dear Frank, you are so nice, Thank you so much, have a nice day, Love, nia
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😀
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That was no meagre attempt Frank.. It was brilliance.. As was that Argentine Tango … Excellent
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Sue,
Thank you for the encouragement and kind words. The video served as the inspiration. I like it so much, it’s time to watch it again. 🙂
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🙂 I can see why it was beautiful to watch
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You brought the dance to life through words. Well done.
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Carrie,
The video gave me the images, so I had to develop the words. The blooming flower was much earlier in the video, but I knew I wanted to use it. I didn’t create enough doubt … that is making the reader wonder if it was real or just an imaginary event in one of their minds.
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A romantic Valentine’s story, Frank!
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Merril,
Thanks … surprisingly, I didn’t plan this for Valentine’s Day! Totally coincidental.
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Hahaha. Well, it worked. 🙂
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Yep … coincidental … but looking back, I’m glad it worked out that way.
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This is beautiful, Frank. I think you described the essence of the tango wonderfully. Your words painted the picture so well, I didn’t need the video (but did watch it anyway because I love the tango).
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Robin,
Thanks. I found the painting part to be easy because the video initiated the picture in my head. … It just so happens I was watching the video again while you were commenting. 🙂
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The daughter of our next door neighbors and her Iranian husband enjoy dancing the tango in Wales where they live.
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Jim,
Various types of tango are danced across the world … and your statement is a prime example of that. Thanks for sharing.
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So beautiful, so sensual. My heart is a flutter at the sounds and sights of the tango.
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Ranch …. and I believe it’s Monica.
Welcome first-time commenter to my little corner of the world … and thanks for coming over from Marc’s. Thanks for the kind words, and glad to know I engaged the flutter mechanism. I think you may like this one … https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/on-the-dance/
… and this one https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/on-the-other-t/
… and this one https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/on-tango/
… and you are under no obligation to visit any of these. 🙂
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So incredible. When I worked in the legal biz, one of my bosses was a Tango dancer. I could have watched he and his partner dance forever. For posts like that, WordPress needs a ‘love’ button. Thank you for sharing, that made my whole day❣️
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What an awesome bit of info about your boss. Do you know if they danced Ballroom Tango or Argentine Tango?
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If I remember correctly, he did both. Everyone in the office had our breaths taken away when they got on the dance floor at Christmas parties.
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That’s awesome!!!!
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Thanks for the Valentine’s gift. Your images are yummy. I liked the part in the video where they laugh. Including that in your story could add an extra layer or two. Romantic and fun! Good work.
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Greta,
Welcome first-time commenter … but I know you’ve read some of the posts here. Posting this on Valentine’s Day was unplanned … glad I did, but it was a coincidence. I intentionally left out the laughing because I was going for a different ending … plus I was watching my word count. Nonetheless, glad you enjoyed it!
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A beautiful story, Frank. Meager is not a word I would use to describe it. If you are interested in a few notes I will send them. (Nothing major, just craft tweaks)
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John,
Thank you for the encouragement and support. Yes … Please send me notes to the email address on file. ☺
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Will do.
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I find that I don’t have your e-mail address. At least I can’t find it in my address book. Could you send to johnhowell(dot)wave(at)gmail.com. Thanks, Frank.
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Check your WP dashboard … Comments … But I’ll do the same and send you one.
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What a nice Valentine’s Day gift – and well done with your writing! (I especially liked that you waited to the end for the rose to bloom.)
I must attend a Tango dance contest sometime. I like watching videos of Tango dancers, but I sense I’m missing a lot by not seeing the chemistry in person.
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Tim,
The Valentine’s Day thing was an unplanned accident that turned into a good thing. When the story was revealing itself in my mind, I knew I had to use the blooming rose … then the idea came to use it at the end. Meanwhile, a tango contest would be interesting!
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WOW!
You’re much too humble, Frank. This is so much more than a meager attempt, this is romantic and sexy and strong!
Here here! And more!
Peace and (more) fiction writing
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Marc,
Thanks for the support and kind words. I couldn’t have done it without the video! … but romantic, sexy, and strong is a good thing! 🙂
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Aahhh …. I have watched the video 5 times. I know it is a bit much but I can view that over and over. I wish the ending hadn’t been the same as the beginning but I’ll take it anyway.
Your words captured the feel of the dance. The two dancers joining as one in an attempt to let their partner know, without words, their emotions. Beautifully written, aFrank. A masterful way to describe the passionate sentiment of the tango. BRAVO …!!!
Isadora 😎
p.s. – a tango dance for your wife today would be a perfect gift. I’m sure you’ve got the music ready for the surprise. Happy VAlentine’s Day to you and yours … ❤️ ❤️
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Isadora,
If you only knew how many times I’ve watched this video! … Heck, at least 3 times today! Meanwhile, you enjoyed my little story that the video inspired. Happy Valentine’s Day today
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The video is captivating. I’ve added it to my list of videos to see from time to time. Thanks for introducing me to it. 😎
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What a perfect story for Valentine’s Day. You write lovely fiction, Frank. And you definitely drew me into that room to participate in an emotionally rich dance!
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Nice job, Frank!
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Thank you, Wendy.
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I guessed the tango by the third sentence, Frank! I think your vivid description brought the dance to life. I was also envious of the two people dancing together as I read your piece. I didn’t see the video until the end. Well done! I think when we write fiction, we have to let our inhibitions go and not worry about how good or bad it is. Just do it! 💃🏻
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Pam,
Thanks for the encouragement, but wow – how did you guess Tango so soon? I will share a secret regarding the ending – it was subtle, but I hoped someone would wonder if they actually danced or was it just the imagination of one person. The fact that nobody did tells me my words just weren’t right for that.
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PS: After you see my response, scroll down to read Coastal Crone’s comment (and my response). She commented as I was replying to you!
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Ah, Frank, your dancing gifts come to the fore here, lovely story.
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Lynn,
Glad you enjoyed this little trip into my little world.
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There was no doubt that the dance would be a tango. Your words brought the movements to life in a bold and sensual way. I just wanted know a little more of the mystery at the end. I had the feeling that it could have all just been a dream for either of them. Well done with the merger!
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Jo,
OMG …. if you were here I would give you a big hug! You are the only person who caught that at the end because that was my intent … intending to wonder if it was real, a dream, or in a person’s imagination.
Look at the timeline above … I replied to Lynn (just above you at 6:07 … you commented at 6:10 …. I replied to Pam at 6:18 … you need to read what I wrote to Pam. Thank you Jo!!!!! … You made my day!
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🤓 Fun responses. I’ve always read and believed that once we write a story and put it out there, then the story belongs to each individual reader to interpret it the way he or she wants to. So often, no matter how well we write a scene, each reader may see it a little differently. 🤔
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Yep … but Jo made my day! Your statement about the reader is so true … I relate it to art by saying don’t ask the artist what was in their mind when painting the piece because they want to know what the viewer sees and feels.
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YES! 🙂
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A few sentences into your short story, I knew it had to be an Argentine tango. I was fortunate to see a tango performance in Buenos Aires a number of years ago and found it spellbinding.
Now for the bad news: You may have given me inspiration for a future episode of Fallen Arches; Novellas of Broken Romance.
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C-A-L,
A big wow to seeing a tango performance in Buenos Aires … simply wow! Meanwhile, the fact that I’ve inspired you in some demented way is a thrill in itself! 🙂
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It was a part of a cruise package around The Horn. We stayed at the Alvear Palace Hotel and took in dinner and tango at the Esquina Carlos Gardel.
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Awesome … and I would have loved it!
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Some very intense, sensual writing here Frank. I thought immediately you were describing a dance like the tango, such passion!
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E R,
Coming from a fictional writer, thank you for the kind words. Sensual was one of my aims with this.
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You certainly succeeded! 🙂
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Very nice, Frank. I’m glad you pointed me in this direction. First, I love dancing! Any kind, but the Tango is so romantic and can say so much as you’ve proven with your story. As other writers have mentioned, a few tweaks and it would be fantastic. For a man who says he doesn’t write well, you did very well. 😉
I could feel what you were wanting to make your reader feel. And for any writer that’s something worthwhile.
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Jackie,
Many thanks for the encouragement and kind words. When Coastal Crone (Jo) made a comment about the ending, I was leaping with joy because she is the only one of mentioned one of the things I was aiming for.
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