The Dancer - a poem by Liam UiCearbhaill

A little over 20 years ago I learned a little about Arabic rhythms. One of those rhythms,  Masmudi Kabir, still haunts me. This poem was an attempt to reflect that rhythm in verse. Here is a link to compare http://www.maqamworld.com/rhythms/muwashahat2.html#masmudi_kabir

his poem is in the collection Poetry's Purpose

Available for Kindle download at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YX2VZ78

Available in Printed version at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/uicearbhaill

Available for purchase at The Book Juggler http://www.thebookjuggler.com/store.php

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The Dancer

Danced,
The girl danced, she did
And she danced for the crowd to see

Cheered,
The crowd cheered for her
Though her eyes were for only me

Swayed,
Her hips swayed the beat
While her chest moved the other way

Swirled,
The veil flew through air
While the light on her jewels did play

Smiled,
The girl smiled for me
While her moves held my heart in thrall

Danced,
On my heart-strings now
As I to her spell did fall

Freed,
From my mundane life
By the pound of an Arab drum

Caught,
By her kohl-blacked eyes
And the swirl and the sway and the thrum

Stopped
The drum silent now
And the girl on the stage stands still

Thoughts,
Only mem’ry now
But the thought gives my heart a thrill