The Choir

Summary

The article "The Choir" by Jenine Bsharah Baines reflects on the joy of dancing in the rain, inspired by a challenge from Carolyn Hastings to write a Twittle, a short poetic form.

Abstract

Jenine Bsharah Baines captures the essence of finding delight in simple pleasures through her experience of dancing in the rain. Prompted by Carolyn Hastings, the creator of the Twittle—a concise poetic form—Baines crafts a piece that celebrates the beauty of rain and its ability to inspire dance and song. Drawing inspiration from the classic film "Singing in the Rain" and the iconic dance of Gene Kelly, Baines embraces the challenge to create a Twittle, despite finding it a difficult task. The article is a testament to the power of nature and art to uplift the spirit, and it concludes with Baines expressing gratitude to her readers and those who inspire her writing.

Opinions

The author, Jenine Bsharah Baines, expresses a deep appreciation for rain, describing it as an enveloping and reassuring lullaby.
Baines acknowledges the challenge of writing a Twittle, a form that Carolyn H

dancing with the rain

I’m singing in the rain. Just singing in the rain. What a glorious feelin’…Arthur Freed

Song of the rain — melody soaring from earth’s open throat on rhythm’s wings, mist, and the finch’s descant — teach me, too, to dance.

©Jenine Bsharah Baines 2021

Carolyn Hastings, creator of the Twittle, has been nudging me to tackle one. (It’s been a while.) Five lines, 100 letters. Carolyn finds them effortless; I wrestle for hours.

Hence my snail’s pace responding to her nudge. “Write about dancing,” she urged.

I wasn’t sure why, but okay…

Around 2 a.m. today, I woke up to an unexpected sound in L.A. — rain. I love rain. Particularly at night. No lullaby is more enveloping, reassuring, gorgeous.

Six hours later, I went to fetch yesterday’s mail — just for an excuse to walk a short distance in the rain. I channelled Gene Kelly in the musical Singing in the Rain.

And Gene Kelly, for you young ones who may not recognize his name, was an astonishing dancer. Twittle time!

I even danced back into the house from the mailbox. And, alas, yes, this Twittle took forever.

But it was a pleasure to evoke a lovely moment. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Thank you, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) of The Brain is a Noodle — Twittle Central, thanks to Carolyn’s efforts on the Twittle’s behalf. Carolyn Hastings, thank you for the challenge. It’s good for my old lady brain.

Thank you, dearest readers — each of you is a refreshing song of the rain inspiring my soul to dance.