Harlequin Cascade
Walk with me on the empty orchestra stage
Where the echoes of music past saturate the air and
Lonely sunshine splashes across the wicked floor our
Ballet feet polish smooth.
Imagine the stark lines of skeleton beneath my flesh
Imagine the shadow of ink on the page
Imagine a violin in symphony with bone.
Sit with me in shadow of ghostly rose bower
The thorns pierce our hearts and we shed crystalline tears that
Color the flowers black.
Imagine salt as dust upon the skin
Imagine the moon as a pearl in the ocean
Imagine a piano in symphony with wandering pen.
Dance with me on this chocolate ballroom floor
As the sun rises mighty above us and we
Infiltrate the pencil-sketched caverns of the past with
Eyes that hold the present.
Harlequin Cascade is a silky-smooth embossed surface that provides excellent grip and is often described as giving ‘warmth’ to a dance performance (Harlequin Floors).
Photo by Dids
Dawn Pisturino
So visual! I could easily imagine the scene. Great work, Layla!
Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com
I really like picturing the moon as a pearl in the ocean! Sensual and beautifully penned! Well done, Layla
Jeff Flesch
The feelings cascade over us through your breathtaking use of language to convey imagery that is both subtle and profoundly bold. A gorgeous piece, Layla!
Layla Todd
Thank you so much, Jeff! ❤️
Jeff Flesch
Always! ❤️
Aspen Hite
Beautiful piece, Layla! Lovely imagery! 💜
roughwighting
I walked with you there, and danced, and I felt what you felt, because of how well you wrote this poem.
Layla Todd
What a gorgeous comment! Thank you. ❤️
Ingrid
Wonderfully written, Layla!
The Sicilian Storyteller
A beautiful and sensual piece, Layla. Well done! 💫
Eugenia
Every line is stunning, Layla. A beautifully written and sensuous piece.
Layla Todd
Thank you, Eugenia!
Michele Lee
Creative phrases! A gorgeous scene you’ve created. Thrilling to read, Layla! 💗
Layla Todd
As always, I love your comments, Michele! Thank you. 💗
Michele Lee
Truly a treat for me. I hope your semester is off to a great start! 😊
Layla Todd
It is indeed, Michele! ✨
haoyando
Thank you for sharing. I always thought dance floors are made of something special but didn’t know what it is and now I finally know that it is called Harlequin Cascade.
Layla Todd
Love that you found this piece informative!
Cindy Georgakas
ooH LA LA.. i’m dancing and writing as fast as i can Layla! love it. provocative imagery and gorgeous! 💞
Cassa Bassa
“Imagine a piano in symphony with wandering pen.” This line describe such a scene, mastery word skill!!! 💚
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing your favorite line, Cassa!
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I closed my eyes and imagined all these things. I want to dance with you. I want to dance with all these emotions.
THANK YOU Layla
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing this lovely comment, Claudia!
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
<3
D. Wallace Peach
I love the imagining of this piece, the imagining of the imagery. Beautiful, Layla.
According to Chren
Wow, what a great poem. Our favorite line is, “The thorns pierce our hearts and we shed crystalline tears that, Color the flowers black.”
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing your reading experience!
Shruthi Senthilkumar
Wow, this is an exceptional piece! I especially love this pair of beautifully articulated lines-
“We Infiltrate the pencil-sketched caverns of the past with
Eyes that hold the present.”
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts, Shruthi. ❤️
Shruthi Senthilkumar
You’re welcome!
Jacqui Murray
As a former professional dancer, I can feel this.
I'm All Booked Up YA
The opening line perfectly introduce the poem. Wonderful imagery and great photo to accompany the poem.
Baydreamer - Lauren Scott
Hauntingly beautiful poem, Layla, and the way you repeated “Imagine” is creative and powerful. Just lovely!
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lauren! ❤️
Grace
That verse that starts with “Imagine” on every line is just so insanely well done! Your creative gifts are such a treat to read…you have a magical way with words, my friend!! Amazing writing and beautiful piece, Layla 🤍🤗
Layla Todd
Wow, what a lovely comment. Thank you, Grace. ❤️
wordsandcoffee1
Beautiful!