into the morning’s droplet hours I danced

mesmerized by the flogging beat electric

colour strobing my brain through the pulsing

fog pungent with nicotine in a press of bladed

elbows and steel heels cadaverous eyes

obscenely painted purple lips pursed and

polished with sweat jerking around in the fumes

of stale beer and Prince Matchabelli I was

having a marvelous time my partner skewered

off and I danced alone expunging the herd in

fluid madness a molten volcano roaring boulders

crashing down the mountain thunderous waves

booming into cliffs I danced oblivious as the

bodies fell back and formed a ghoulish circle of

flickering  eye sockets and yellow teeth their

stares pierced my frenzy and above the narcotic

drums I heard the astonished DJ improvising

like a calypso man … how does she do that …

why doesn’t she fall apart …  my face flared but

I laughed what else could I do if they couldn’t

hear beneath the obvious that was their problem

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas