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Saturday, November 10, 2012


The Piedmont Arts Festival in Atlanta

       Every once in a while you see and listen to something you may never forget. Such a thing happened to me.
            In this case it was a dance company doing their version of Joni Mitchell's song Both Sides Now. The time was circa 1983. I was inspired, and have never forgotten it.  Basically they were both singing and dancing in slow motion to the lyrics, which follow:
                        Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
  
            Now I don't live in Atlanta, Georgia anymore, so I don't know much about the Festival these days.
            But for sure, I do remember this performance decades later.

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