Heather T

raqs sashame

 

 

she is smoke eyed singe

and kohl gravity

glinting bindi lures

habibi adorned

of cowry shells and feathered rope

dangling jewelried brass

and stoned seduction

 

rakkasah pulses pungi rhythms

of snake arm conjuration

watered tours of deep divine

raising globes of full moon myrrh

from ribs to quake for tabla fingers

pouting tales of olives

teeth plucked suckle ready

 

coins rattle hipsway flicked

shiver navel goblet ripples

belly weeps for hennaed kiss

lapis dangles gold bound clink

of slaved wrists and ankles

stretch and stomp for spirit hands

to spread madonna lily petals

and slake their thirst for oil

healing in her silks

 

scarves undulate and thrust

dashing cosmic quivered milk

cream and earth and sweat

bronzed firelight in their fusion

one gauzy veil away

damp stars and thighs and deity

split honeyed womb to slick

the desert panting lips

 

skirt\'s hymn rises

wafting musk prayers to swollen kings

and the animal gods of them

rise thick and take up serpents

 

to peel her for

her spangled fruit