12You've got to sing like nobody's listening, you've got to love like you'll never get hurt, you've got to dance like nobody's watching, you've got to live like it's Heaven on Earth.
-Author Unknown
I can't tell you what the meaning of life, but I can dance it.
-Woody Allen
Under the twinkling, teardrop crystals of the chandelier, the couple whirled and twirled. She was wearing a cherry-pink gown that swept the marble floor. It was trimmed with snow-white ostrich feathers and sequins adorned the tight-fitting bodice, which accentuated her slim, willowy figure. The satin sleeves were puffy, showing off her slender arms. A tasseled shawl was draped over her shoulders of alabaster white and her silky hair was swept into a stylish chignon, with a few prim tea roses tucked at the sides of her ears. On her tiny feet were dainty, pink slippers with a rosebud each at the tips. He wore an elegant, black tuxedo with smart, black tap shoes. His hair had been carefully combed and slicked back, giving him a neat and trim look.
In the extremely large hall with gleaming glass walls, they danced without a care. The rotating spotlights winked merrily, enjoying the sight. As he spun her around, her skirt flared and she bent her head back, smiling in pure bliss. At a far corner, musicians played song after song. First, it was Fur Elise, then it was A Maiden's Prayer, then Blue Danube Waltz, Moon River and many other familiar tunes that are lovely to the ear. The pleasant music helped build up the romantic atmosphere and as the sky became darker, the lights were gradually, slowly dimmed.
Now, dazzling, sparkling stars, millions of them, ornamented the ebony tapestry, glittering like diamonds. It almost seemed that the sky was a diamond mine! Now and then, a glowing comet rushed by, illuminating the entire midnight sky. The moon was a shimmery silver and gold. It was shaped like a crescent, like a little boat drifting aimlessly but confidently in the wide, vast ocean waters.
Meanwhile, they danced, and danced, and danced. They were completely oblivious to their surroundings. Each was gazing only at the other party with dreamy eyes filled with wonder, hope and faith. The musicians were long since silent, but still, they danced, and whirled, and spinned and twirled. It seemed that they were waltzing to a soundless music that only they could hear. Easily, so easily it seemed effortless, they could sense each others' emotions, thoughts and feelings. Step by step, slowly but surely, he directed the dance, leisurely gliding from one end of the room to the next.
She laughed when he tipped her back, her tinkling laughter ringing through the dome-shaped room, sounding like a thousand tiny bells chiming in the cool, night breeze. They danced till it was morning. The fiery, majestic sun rose from his throne, commanding his allies to his side. Soon, the rosy sky was packed with purple, orange and pink clouds that floated lazily and lethargically, occasionally changing their shapes for fun.
The couple was still dancing when unexpectedly, everything faded away into the early morning light. It came just like a sudden, nasty downpour that would have dampened anyone's spirits. Now, she was merely clothed in a plain blue dress with a white sash and lace apron. Her hair was tied in a simple braid that hung limply down her back that was damp with perspiration. He was merely clothed in a loose white shirt that was stained with dirt and grime. Both wore similar tattered and torn brown shoes.
Instead of the enormous hall, they were now in the garden in front of their shabby house. Violet daisies, sapphire bluebells, golden sunflowers and scarlet full-blown roses sprang up among the bottle green grass along the brick pathway. The sweet, gentle fragrance of lavender drifted from the house as a roughly whittled wooden wind chime clanked in the breeze.
Still, they danced, and danced, and danced, totally oblivious to anything else but each other. Their special life together had just started. It was not special only because they loved each other and were not ashamed to show it, and not only because they had such high hopes for their future together.
It was simply because they were both blind.