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Thursday
Aug032006

finally getting a little sexy with poetry {poetry thursday}

A few weeks ago, the prompt at Poetry Thursday was sex. And I happily shared two poems written by others on that day. Because, well, ahem, my parents sometimes read my blog. And my friends who may not talk about such things also stop by. And a friend I also work with might be reading it right now (hi). So writing about sex is something...ahem...that doesn't quite come easily to me. Except that isn't really true. It is more writing about sex and then posting it for others to read (anyone out there in all the world), well, that is the part that gets me in a bit of a tizzy.

But, as soon as I read this week's completely and totally optional Monday idea, this poem began to dance in my head. And it continued to dance throughout these last few days. So tonight, as I listened to Itzhak Perlman's violin play "Tango (Por Una Cabeza) "on repeat, this poem took shape. A little blending of PT's sex and music prompts.

tango on a hot july night

the click of the record player
needle skids
as the first notes play
a sigh

her hands move to the roundness of her belly

a woman in a black dress,
pink rose tucked in her hair
eyes dark
fierceness on her face
his hand splayed across her back
they stare at one another
quick turn
long step
look away
her leg kicks
and slides across the floor
then his
long step
slow turn
bodies collide
skirt twirls
long step
quick quick quick
turn

ba boom
ba boom

her hand moves to her breast

the woman turns her face away
he pulls her in
a violence that invites no fear
quick turn
long step
long step
her foot slides
then his
slow turn
knees bend
pivot
pull closer
anticipate every move
breath
turn

ba ba boom
ba ba boom boom boom

fingertips to lips as another sigh escapes

sweat begins to form
the small of her back
his forehead
quick turn
long step
he thrusts her closer
pause
long step
quick quick quick
bodies lean in
never letting go
feet know
her foot slides
then his
quick turn
skirt twirls
slow slow
quick quick
turn
breath to breath

hands roam where needed
soft sighs
the music quiets
a whisper until the final moment

one hand to her forehead, the other below her belly

ba boom
ba boom

********

Poetry Thursday was a weekly poetry project that I created and then co-hosted back in 2006-2007. The site is no longer online.

Reader Comments (33)

This is so sultry and delicious.... it makes me want to dance with a man... between the sheets.... !

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterSusannah

sex sex sex sex sex SEX SEX sex. HUH? Oh hi Liz! LOL Yep up late again...So ya sex. Don't want to write a lot about sex. Cause it is embarrasing sex. And sex if sex others sex read sex it...it just might sex embarrass me. Sex. How's your sex sciatica doing? Sex.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterJulia Ann White

I like the fierceness and violence parts. There's a fine line between dance and fighting. Choreographed wrestling and barely tamed animal aggression in a tango. Dangerous, exciting but safe. I like it.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterJemima

There's an incredible tango dancer/instructor here in DC... your poem reminds me of her style.

wonderful!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterVisual-Voice

i love how you interweave the 'secret voice' and gestures, with the sound of the music like a thumping heart - beautiful, liz.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterbee

Love it, with all the sultry power and sexuality of the dance! Gorgeous.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterparis parfait

very sexy indeed, I love it!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer

whhhhheeeee...
that was a good one.

loved the quickness of the words,
the beat,
the tempo...

wow
:)

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commentergkgirl

what a vision you created through your words. Steamy, sexy yet gentle and fun.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterlisrobbe

my favorite line: violence that invites no fear

the repetition works nicely, like the beat of the music. Nice poem.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterpepektheassassin

I love the interposition of the tango(?) movements with the "other dancing." Your phrasing is wonderful.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterStar

This is fabulous Liz!! I love it!! I'm with Susannah on this one!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterM

Nicely done. I love the many layers in this poem and that line about violence that invites no fear--ahhh. Lovely.

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterLJCohen

Wow Liz~ All I need was the music and a moment standing in front of the freezer after reading that!

Lets see....What time does my hubby get hommmmme?

xoxo d

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterb/sistersshoes

Ooooh, I like! I've never danced a tango, but it makes me think of every hot tango I've ever seen in a movie. Spicy!!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterDeb R

liz this ROCKS!!! truly it does. while reading it i could visualize every step. have you ever seen moulin rouge??? it's on of my favs and perhaps my favorite scene in the movie is the tango to roxanne. this poem reminds me of that--passion and power!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commenterla vie en rose

Fantastic! You blended so much here; music, the dance and sex. Very hot imagery done with class, family will be proud :)

Hope you're feeling better :)

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterTammy

Liz you made me blush!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commentermegg

I love how well the music is incorporated into both the dance, and the suggestion of sex. Ba-boom, indeed!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered Commentertwitches

ooh la la you sexy girl you!

this was very hot.

Mmmmm

Thanks for being you-glorious you

Loving you

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterColorsonmymind

Ba Boom Ba boom....Va Va va voom!!!
Loved it!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterJ.Valentine

This poem moves!

I loved the tempo, the way your words leapt off the page and took me along with the tango. If only every dance had half the power and passion this poem does. I wonder if Perlman inspires his wife Toby in the way his music inspired this poem? Lucky woman, indeed!

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterSuperhero Activist

Ummmmmmm...YUM.

gimme a cigarette.
oh wait...i don't smoke!

;)

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterBohemian Girl

Well, I'm late to this party. Just got back from a looooong day at work. I love this poem, as you know. The quickness of it, the form supporting the content. And yes, the sexiness. I really like that, since I am totally into writing about sex. (And sharing it for anyone to see. Tee hee.)

August 3, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterDana

Ba Ba Ba BOOM!

Love this poem Liz! This may be my new favorite poem of yours.

The form moves so well with the words. Love the interplay between the music and sex (NICE!).

Check out Rita Dove's book American Smooth, in which she uses dance as a metaphor for everything from sex to politics. Her poem, "Fox Trot Fridays" comes to mind.

August 4, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterJanuary

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