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.