Don Murray

It was such a joy visiting Tbilisi, Georgia, and crafting a story using talented local dancers. The inspiration was the beautiful poem, Salome, by contemporary Georgian poet, prose writer, and journalist Bela Chekurishvili: “Dance, Salome!” – The teacher was strict, and did not care that I was tired. Mother kept saying that I was complaining in vain and that nobody would have pity on me. “When you conquer the best knights’ hearts with your dance, think of me” – was her reply to my tears. She would leave me in the mirrored hall by myself. Sunshine rang on the palm branch outside, and my feet longed to run away to where girls were laughing in summer houses, and whispering about knights all the time. “Dance Salome, If you want to learn, you have to dance from dawn till dusk. Your heart should dictate your feet and arms. The music, listen not with the ears, but with your body! Dance Salome, jingle your bracelets! Hands are capable to say a lot more than lips. Do not bend your head! Look straightforward! Look up at the sky. And, if you devote your look to any particular knight, do not let a smile appear on your forehead." The teacher was inaccessible and demanding and even amused to care for the princess. Dance Salome, “Your body is created to get whatever you wish without saying a word. And, when you grow up, for just one dance, the whole kingdom will be spread under your feet like a carpet. For just a single dance, thousands of heads will bow before you, and you will choose the only one that will lead you into infinity.
Dance Salome, you have to dance a lot till that day comes.”