I WILL NOT DANCE, Episode 01 – Two Hundred Feet

Written and Narrated by William E. Spear

Produced by The Three Fifty-seven

7 May 2024

(Cold open)

The Three Fifty-seven offers a commemoration to those individuals who died while serving their countries.

My name is William Spear and this program is titled I WILL NOT DANCE. Over four episodes, an Unnamed Service Personnel will tell of leaving family and dying in battle.

Although the events are set in the Second World War, and the Narrator is from New Jersey, U.S.A., the story could be told of any conflict and the warrior could be from any country.

Join us as the Narrator celebrates a family wedding and historical roots in Episode One titled TWO HUNDRED FEET.

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My cousin’s wedding was a loud and raucous affair.
For ten hours – starting before the church – two hundred feetAnd hands stomp’d, clap’d, and echoed Jersey City heartbeats
Back to Cavan.

Ah, Cavan! County and city in Ulster Province
Of northeastern Ireland. Embraced by the counties
Monaghan, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, and Leitrim. Uplands
Cross’d by valleys.

The main of which nestles the River Erne, the second
Longest through the province. With slate and shale hills, beyond.
Catholic and Protestant churches criss cross the county.
Faith runs deep here . . .

. . . And burns as brightly and fiercely as in Bréifne times.
When our people became East Bréifne and fought English
Colonization until the late fifteen hundreds.
These were the roots . . .

. . . Swirling across the floor and toasting love evermore,
Cold winds battered and driving rains soaked the parish hall,
There was nothing that could break us or tear us apart.
We were fam’ly.

We danced for days . . . and then the notice came.

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That was Episode One titled TWO HUNDRED FEET. It was written and narrated by William Spear.

Music was through the courtesy of Serge Pavkin.

The series I WILL NOT DANCE was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.

Thank you for listening.

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