The Gift
Windswept and full of dare
She twirled in long ringlets of hair,
Her mouth, a smile, did grace me with
And gave my anxious heart a lift.
Her fingers, long and full of tease
She only softly asked me, "Please"
Her feet ran to the cantina floor
And showed me what she'd been born for.
I'd met her on the market square
A lonely maiden, standing there
Without escort, without a ring
A truly lovely, graceful thing.
And so we talked and passed the time
She put her gentle hand in mine
My plans forgotten and she had none
We walked till day was almost gone.
We strolled beside the river's shore
We laughed and laughed and laughed some more
Like children playing a grown up's game
She told me much, except her name.
When blue twilight had fallen down
We walked into the heart of town
Past cafes, full, at dinner time
I pulled her into these arms of mine.
"What would you like to do?" I asked
And she fell silent and said at last
"I want to dance, may we please go?"
But I couldn't dance but she didn't know.
I held my breath, felt my heart race
And fear ran fast across my face
"Of course we may." I said and lied
As she beamed sweetly at my side.
"I know the place!" she grabbed my hand
And I went with her, a smitten man
Up cobblestones, and alleys down
Followed her joy and music's sound.
Till then, at last, she found the place
And turned to me with youthful face
"You'll like it here." And in she flew
And called to people that she knew.
The place was small but filling up
With men and music, wine and cup
With violin and stamping feet
And Spanish guitars, loud and sweet.
At her appearance, there rose a roar
And she backed slowly towards the floor
Pulling my coat; I stumbled after
Into the light and thundering laughter.
She removed her shawl and threw it, then
Surveyed the room of shouting men
Threw back her head of coal black hair
And circled round me, standing there.
My pulse was racing, my face was wet
I hadn't told my secret yet
I couldn't dance, I never could
My feet were leaden, my legs were wood.
The music filled the heated room
And my shy flower began to bloom
Into a wild and wondrous thing
With every wanton song they'd sing.
She stomped her feet, began to dance
Till every man felt her romance
Her dark eyes flashing, her shoulders, bare
The maiden, gone, an Empress there.
I couldn't move, I couldn't leave
I stood transfixed in the air she breathed
Lost track of myself, lost track of time
Fell in her love and spell sublime.
The wine was flowing, the night was hot
And magic happened but I knew it not
Until she pulled me into her arms
And I felt the power of her sensuous charms.
My shirt unbuttoned, my sleeves rolled up
Drank deep and long from a brimming cup
My eyes on hers, hand round her waist
My anxiousness, now all erased.
I felt the music, it flowed through me
I saw the passion and it saw me
I danced the dances of ages past
The gift I'd dreamed of, given, at last.
Our bodies melded, our bodies swayed
The crowd applauded, the music played
Her face against mine, and wanting more
We danced till daylight crept round the door.
And we were alone in an emptying room
That just hours ago, had been filled with my gloom
Filled with the knowledge that there was no chance
That my once broken legs could ever learn how to dance.
But dance I did and dance I do
Dance in my dreams, while dreaming of you
The girl who was magic, the girl with the charms
Who taught me to live as I danced in her arms.
© By Voo
Aug 22, 2010
2:30 a.m.
