I stand alone in this wide empty space,
in front of an audience of many.
Forming my wistful partner in an abrazo
What an entity he is; a reflection of my inner soul!
With the rhythmic staccatos coming from the bandoneón,
and the abrupt stabs of the double bass,
we moved around the floor, dancing around like prowling lions
with the right amalgamation of fierceness and tasteful sensuality.
Slowly, I lean to him and swing my feet around his body,
snapping my head at the bandoneón’s downbeat.
He catches my back, and I feel his face close to mine.
Call me fickle; my heart’s on my dress sleeves.
But I know the man in my imagination
only remains as such and never becomes a reality.
So here I am moving myself to the rhythm of the music
hearing the bandoneón’s doleful woes slowly encroaching on me.
Hopeless as I am, I channel my feelings through the sinews of my muscles.
And at the last stab of the strings, I gracefully drop myself to the floor;
Baring all my vulnerabilities to the world.
The only solace for now is the audience’s wild salutations,
and someday hoping that in this state of solitude,
A wisp of a man’s solid embrace will bring me comfort.