> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://kolamcreativecollective.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Dance: Set your body free - URL: https://kolamcreativecollective.com/posts/dance-2022/ - Published: 2025-09-11T05:37:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-09-20T00:13:25.000Z - Description: Set your body free - Author: Kadir - Tags: Blog, poetry Dear creative, How are you doing? For this week, I'm re-sharing a poem I first posted in 2022, called Dance. I'm also thrilled to share one of my favorite poets, Qurat Dar's work – their book, [Non Prophet](https://gooselane.com/products/non-prophet) just came out! --- (2022-07-29) Today I’m reading a poem I wrote recently called Dance. I got to read it at another open mic at a phenomenal event yesterday [Tartan Turban Secret Readings](https://tartanturbansecretreadings.org/). You can listen or read along below: *Content Note: Mention of physical punishment in a class setting* The littlest version of me knew how to hold dance poses with poise, every picture of me My hands hold invisible flowers body twisting into a bouquet I danced every chance In front of relatives at weddings On stages with audience cheering In front of the mirror always A dance teacher's dream My mother covered the mirrors with newspapers Worried I was turning self obsessed Sent me to a bharathanatyam class A sea of orange tunics red pants and anklets Moving to the twang of the teacher's cane Squat deeper, dance longer I hurt, tired Cane flung across the room swiping my shins I burn from the shame my face forgotten I quit the class My father happy i wouldn't shake my body before strangers My mother upset I gave up so easy My teacher dismayed begged me to return I stood my stubborn ground Kept my scared little soul safe Dance became my hidden secret Moved in private only for myself Yearning everyday for performance For my peripheries to reach in unison with fellow dancers While I sat by the sidelines, grieving When yesterday queer Tamils gathered A pride celebration among The music of my spirit the music of our spirit My body pulled itself to the front Gave into the rhythm In circles I went clapping and stomping, remembering. --- ![Print copy of Qurat Dar's Non-Prophet poetry collection featuring intricate gold tiles with blue and red tints and a grey shades crow on the front cover, released this week, Icehouse Poetry, photo by Kadir](https://storage.ghost.io/c/76/f3/76f37869-a6cb-40d2-9a71-3957cacb536a/content/images/2025/09/1000033966.jpg) Non-Prophet, poetry collection by Qurat Dar I had the honour of studying poetry alongside Qurat Dar at Tyler Pennock's Writing Poetry class. Their poetry reveres animals, monsters and the earth, and will resonate so deeply if you seek to embody an unruliness that defies religious dogma and claim queer pleasure inside out. Their first collection, Non-Prophet won the Claire Harris Poetry prize and was released this week. The print copy has a beautiful matte textured finish that is so soothing to touch: link to [get yours.](https://gooselane.com/products/non-prophet) I leave you with one of their poems published in Canthius Mag — [Al-Waqi'ah \[56:27\]: before touching a lover by Qurat Dar](https://www.canthius.com/poetryandprose/2023/3/23/-al-waqiah-5627-before-touching-a-lover-by-qurat-dar). --- Take care and see you next week!