Filler
Photo of Shira

 

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

American Belly Dancer

 

By Sumaya

 

 

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American belly dancer,
her coin costumes are crude!
American belly dancer
her style is rude!

She balances her cane on top of her head
while purists and belly police look on with dread
her moves are too big, her steps are too fast,
and oh dear, oh my, her hand gestures too crass!

Poor little dancer, she'll never get it right
Because she can't afford an Egyptian flight

So she makes do with a smile and some flare
and turns her head away from puritan glares
She takes this dance down deep in her soul
turns it about and makes it her own
She dances with her heart right out on her sleeve
and knows her audience and does all to please

At the end of her performance she counts the money she amasses
from catering to the American masses
Because at the end of her gig on a successful night,
she has enchanted her audiences with wonder and delight

 

ABOUT THE DRAWING: Sumaya created this artwork to go with the poem, showing an American-style belly dancer proudly holding her props of sword, Isis wings, and cane.

Inauthentic Belly Dancer

 

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About the Poet

Sumaya's mind, body and soul have been completely transformed by this beautiful art form. The music calls her and her spirit responds. She is delighted, though a little embarassed, to have her humble musings published on Shira's great site.

Sumaya has contributed the following poems to this web site:

 

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