I Dreamed I Was a Slave Girl

I Dreamed I Was a Slave Girl

I dreamed I was a slave girl

Kneeling at your feet

Occasionally you glanced at me

With a smile not sour nor sweet.

I didn't know what I should do

I didn't know how to act

I tried to give my heart to you

But you just threw it back.

I learned the slave girl dances

I was schooled in slave girl charms

I was told that if I learned to please

I would soon be in your arms.

Though you barely looked upon me

And ignored my foreign face

But if I stumbled in my duties

You would put me in my place.

Each night I danced before you

As you ate your evening meal

But I never knew if you were pleased

Your heart I could not feel.

I danced in veils of silken threads

With belly bared and taut

With bells around my ankles

And wondered what you thought.

But I was never summoned

To your palace chamber door

I tried so hard to give my best

But you never asked for more.

And then one night I threw myself

Down on my bed to sleep

And swore I cared for you no more

And no more for you would weep.

I no longer tried to catch your eye

But flirted with your brothers

Dancing far away from you

And closer to the others.

I twirled my silks around them

As I danced to beating drums

They begged for my attention

And I coyly gave them some.

I fed them grapes and poured their wine

I kissed their fevered brow

I never looked your way again

But you looked my way now.

One night you reached your royal hand

Out to summon me

But I danced away out of your reach

And darted away free.

Then later when the house was quiet

I was summoned by a slave

I told him that I could not come

And no excuse I gave.

I lay all night in darkness

Wondering my fate

They told me I would surely die

If my master, did forsake.

For a fortnight I was left alone

Not knowing what you'd do

But then one night, your servant came

Saying "He has need of you."

I bathed, perfumed and oiled myself 

Dressed in my finest silk

Adorned my body in jewels that gleamed

Against skin pale as milk.

And I let myself be led away

To your rooms by candle light

And then prostrated myself before

My master there that night.

For minutes there was no sound at all

No movement nor a word

And then you said the strangest thing

That I was not sure I'd heard.

You raised my face up to your face

And kissed my trembling hand

"You are a woman before me now

And I am just a man."

I didn't know what I should do

Or what words I should say

What trick is this, I wondered

What game is this you play?

I frowned at you and raised a brow

As you went down upon your knee

"My queen, I am your slave tonight

Feel free to command me."

My heart raced wild within my breast

I thought it was a dream

I didn't know if I should laugh

Or run away and scream.

 "I don't know..." I started

But you hushed me with a kiss

"So long, you've driven me mad and now

Look, it has come to this."

"And what is this?" I queried

"I've tried hard to bring delight."

"No game, sweet slave, true joy you gave

"Now, dance for me tonight."

And I knelt and contemplated

As your musicians gathered there

Waiting for my dance to start

As I trembled 'neath your stare.

Then a boldness came upon me

Like a tigress running wild

No more a timid slave girl

No more so meek and mild.

I danced for you with pleasure

I danced for you to see

How much I'd always loved you

Now I knew you wanted me.

Your eyes narrowed with your wanting,

Your body losing it's control

I danced till I was satisfied

That my soft hands held your soul.

And I fell down before you

As the night turned into dawn

And the candles all were melted wax

And the musicians all were gone.

Then I stood up and with my eyes

Commanded you to be

King, no more, Master, no more

But servant unto me.

And you let me lead you by the hand

To the bed of paradise

A slave girl who loved her master so......

But a Queen now in your eyes.

dancing at a party

©By  Voo

11/15/19

Voo