THE GIFT

                                                                                                                           

    

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.