Dangling: This poem was inspired by the photo I took (iPhone 13 Pro Max) of one of the lead dancers after the opening night of a modern ballet by Carlo Calma titled ‘Diyosa’ an adaptation of  Philippine Mythology’s gods and goddesses alive in nature. 

Dangling a poem by James Navé

When you dangle, do you barely belong or dangle 
larger-than-life? "May I have this dance?"  Magic words 
to shy people in large rooms who officially say they want 
you to ignore them, but like snowdrops on steady gaze days, 
I'll bet shy people love to dance. Can we open our wings 
in the longing mist? Listen, do you hear the sea off 
the Irish coast? There are no cracks in the third position. 
The night belongs to those blue dreams sky danglers know 
in the moments when twists and spins become long
and lines make circles in the laughing air. 



From the Program 

"Carlo Calma’s 'Diyosa' is a full- length contemporary ballet adaptation of Philippine Mythology’s gods and goddesses alive in nature. This Ballet Philippines' world premiere is a story about fantasy set in a dreamy, mythical world but rooted in strong Filipino culture and heritage and even a bit of Pinoy humor. To be relevant with the times and to empower future generations, (generations a hundred years from now, in fact), the ethos of sustainability will be a focus, sending a clear message about climate change and its effects on the world. Fun and entertaining, with eclectic god characters, it will fuse fashion, art, music, and architecture with the magicalpower of dance.”

Dangling: A poem by James Navé

Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio is a podcast devoted to candid, often surprising exchanges with artists, thinkers, and cultural instigators who speak from the core. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the stories and questions that shape our lives.

I’m James Navé—poet, storyteller, educator, and longtime creative collaborator. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and decades of teaching experience across the globe, I help writers and performers tap into their authentic voices through public speaking, creative writing, and the Imaginative Storm method, which I co-developed with Allegra Huston.

My most recent book, 100 Days: A Poetic Memoir After Cancer (3: A Taos Press), documents a hundred days of healing and poetic reckoning. I’m also co-author of Write What You Don’t Know and How to Read for an Audience—practical guides for anyone seeking to speak and write with more truth and power.

I’ve directed festivals, hosted literary salons, taught with Julia Cameron, and memorized over 600 poems. I still believe in the power of a well-told story, the light through stained glass, and the open road with nothing but a podcast and a windshield full of stars.

Dangling: A poem by James Navé

Twice Five Miles