Those Who Do Not Dance
Those Who Do Not Dance - meaning Summary
The Heart as Dancer
Mistral’s poem presents a repeated, communal invitation to life: when a crippled child, an invalid, a thistle, and even God ask how to participate, the reply is the same — let your heart dance, sing, or fly. The poem contrasts inner willingness and external limitation, suggesting participation in communal joy is a moral and spiritual act. The closing image warns that refusal to join yields spiritual desiccation: one’s heart is "turned to dust."
Read Complete AnalysesA crippled child said: “How shall I dance?” Let your heart dance - we said. Then the invalid said: “How shall I sing?” Let your heart sing - we said. Then spoke the poor dead thistle, But I, how shall I dance?” Let your heart fly to the wind - we said. Then God spoke from above “How shall I descend from the blue?” Come dance for us here in the light - we said. All the valley is dancing together under the sun, and the heart of him who joins us not is turned to dust, to dust.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.