The Raqs Sharqi Dancer
By Josephine Wood

She glides across the floor with jewelled feet,
Her yashmak showing sensual, dreamy eyes.
The rhythm stirs the blood – it raises heat
As slowly drum and dancer blend to sighs
Of those bewitched by her – she heeds the cries
From watchers, hypnotized by swaying hips.
She tantalizes, smiles and moistens lips,
As beads and sequins dazzle – cries for more;
A shimmy – then seductively she dips –
The drum beat stops – her veil drops to the floor.

This style of poetry is called a Dizain.
The Dizain originated in France and always has 10 lines.

My mother and her little brown jug
It held her milk
And now it holds our memories
I can hear her singing

I hear her laughing
She is standing in the kitchen
As we come in the back door
See it fall
See it fall
Oh little spider climbing out of a broken jug
And the pieces will lay there a while
In a house draped in net
In a room filled with coral
Sails at the window
Forests of masts
Put your hand over the side of the boat
Put your hand over the side of the boat
What do you feel...?

Kate Bush - A Coral Room

This page is dedicated to my mother,
Josephine Marina Wood. 1934 - 2004

"Forever, I will miss your warmth and wisdom"