SPANISH DANCER
As in the hand a sulfur match flares white
and sends out flicking tongues on every side
before it bursts into flame—: in that ring
of crowding onlookers, hot, eager, and precise
her round dance begins to dart and spread.
And all at once it is entirely flame.
With a glance she sets her hair ablaze
and whirls suddenly with daring art
her slender dress into this fiery rapture,
from which, like snakes awakened,
two naked arms uncoil, aroused and rattling.
And then: as if she felt the fire grow tight,
she gathers it all up and casts it off
disdainfully, and watches with imperious
command: it lies there raging on the ground
and still flares up and won’t surrender—.
But unwavering, assured, and with a sweet
welcoming smile she lifts her face
and stamps it out with rock-hard little feet.