Dancer of the Clearing

The fire that she danced about
suffused the air
with the thick, enduring scent
of burning wood;
that decadent fragrance.

her hips switched and shifted -
just like an ocean’s tide
waving up and down her figure.
her movements matched perfectly
the deep-toned rhythm
of the bass-drums surrounding.

above her head,
her hands swayed gracefully,
almost as if they commanded
this fire-lit symphony
with their own free will
in a seductively
fluid series of motions.

adorning her neck
was a milky white snake
and its ever-curious tongue;
coiled in perfect contrast
with the deep hues
of golden bronze
that outlined her shining figure.

her heavenly gaze
held just as much energy
and life
as nature aflame -
regrettably,
i never had the pleasure
of meeting those
shimmering blue pearls of her eyes
before thunder struck its own
mighty drum,
shaking the very fabric of nature.

the clouds of jealousy
rained down upon the clearing
and each spiteful drop
stung upon impact.

as a chilling breeze
swept me up and set me on my way,
the last thing i saw
before darkness enveloped
and drums ceased to beat
was the woman of the clearing
dancing steadily to her own heart
while lost in shadows
of the dying embers.