Danse Russe If I when my wife is sleeping and the baby and…
“Danse Russe If I when my wife is sleeping and the baby and Kathleen are sleeping and the sun is a flame-white disc in silken mists above shining trees,-- if I in my north room dance naked, grotesquely before my mirror waving my shirt round my head and singing softly to myself: "I am lonely, lonely. I was born to be lonely, I am best so!" If I admire my arms, my face, my shoulders, flanks, buttocks against the yellow drawn shades,-- Who shall say I am not the happy genius of my household?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A solitary, ecstatic dance of self‑celebration and defiant loneliness, embracing one’s own body and identity.
In simple terms: Dancing alone, reveling in self‑acceptance despite feeling lonely.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your uniqueness, even in isolation.
Themes
loneliness
self‑celebration
identity
Mood
melancholic
defiant
Type
poetic
introspective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- artistic expression
- solitary moments
- self‑acceptance
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑affirmation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “happy genius” mean to you?
- Can solitude be both creative and painful?
A Different Perspective
The joy may mask deeper isolation or mental health concerns.