Ah, what a week it was trying to describe the above painting by Mark Fielding! It was a tough decision, and The Tango Notebook is proud to announce the winning entry in the Free Tango Lesson Contest…

SP wrote:

Another round to finish.
I stood my turn
Left foot forward, I went.
For a moment, forgot to think
-then I did-
And missed the step.

Not in the feet. In the heart.

Remember when we were kids, he said.
Two tin cans and a string,
ears pressed to hear the other through the line.

I listen again.

And follow the invisible cord.
Chest to chest, matching his every challenge
Parada, change, and cross

In this way, we speak.

Thank you to all the other participants who buckled down and gave it their best shots. I’ve provided the remaining excellent entries below for your reading pleasure. Enjoy:

BC wrote:

The milonga is packed.
There is hardly any room to move.
He reaches out his hand to ask her to dance.

She accepts.

She stands up and they lean in to each other, she takes a deep breath.
His cologne is intoxicating, just right, not too much, not over powering.
The music starts, they shift weight, right then left, then right again.

She feels the lead.

She steps back with her left.
Now, they are moving as one, completely in sync with the music.
She feels as though it is just the two of them, alone on the dance floor.
She trusts him with her heart, she knows he will keep it safe.

She is completely absorbed in him, and he in her, there is no self, only the other.
For the next 3 minutes they are in love.

FB wrote:

A painting delighting us into the bewitching realm of tango, with a pair of dancers frozen in a perfect moment in time. The colors are soft and alluring, all shades and hues in harmony. The mood is tender, sweet, the moment captured, sensual and innocent. The intimacy of their embrace, the turn of her step, the subtlety of his lead, and the sound of bandoneon in their ears, what a treat for the senses. So authentic, beautiful and bold. Too inadequate for words. It is for the eyes to behold and for the heart to flutter. The love of tango.

EC wrote:

This picture depicts the perfect couple at a milonga that I went to in the US. The follower has a very soft embrace, which shows that she is relaxed. She is so into the music that she is humming the song. Her gyrated dress distracts the leader’s eyes from the line of dance so they keep rotating. The leader has a clear and soft lead, pausing enough to give time for the follower adornments, but keeping the cadence to the music. They are both wearing their favorite pair of shoes which facilitate them to create the perfect movements.

JP wrote:

The future does not know the call of the staccato.
Here, in this moment, is where I belong.
Time knows not of its beauty.
Nor of crowded floors or intimate embraces.
Such things are mortal. Carnal. Fragile.
Yet eternal.

This is… where I dance.

Where the bandoneon sings out a battle cry.
Where old singers croon out a metal box.
Dead. They take flight once more.

This is where I dance.

Wordless conversations.
Tracing patterns into the floorboards.
An ancient magic, old argentine whispers.
Seeping deep into the earth.

Our future is like this dance.

Into the bleak we step.

JTF wrote:

Again we embrace
silk on leather, velvet on oak
her breath warm upon my skin
stealing comfort in the soft crush of our bodies
and though we are bathed in music
it is the thrill of her scent moving me
I show her the way and she comes with ease
into a universe only we can know
she dances before me as moonlight upon the sea
creating beauty to my every silent request
an eternity in three acts
timeless if too brief
again we embrace

This concludes our broadcast Stay tuned for more unique Tango contests that will surely spread the beauty and enthusiasm of Tango!

Keep dancing,
Panayiotis Pete Karabetis

You May Enjoy These:

1. Testimonial: Free Tango Lessons Contest
2. Monthly Tango Contest – Win Free Tango Lessons!
3. Winner of the Thanksgiving Tango Contest
4. Winner of the Best Tango Shoe Contest!
5. Thanksgiving Tango Contest