tangerine tango

forest floor
soft steps in newly-fallen needles
of pungent pine
two entwined dancers dedicate
a tangerine tango
to lofty love…
geisha girl,
a painted porcelain doll dressed
in springtime satins,
virile vagabond,
soft suede shoes,
while brilliant birds
cheer and chant
rumba rhythms
legs limbering languidly
never topple or trip over
the lush layers
of dusty disintegrating
brambles and bones
mixed with magical moss
under four undulating feet…
two lovers lost in living
have finally found
a quiet, quaint, vast valley,
where their silent stone horses
have halted at a cool creek,
waiting, proudly and patiently,
while their wise worldly
mysterious masters
who, with capricious carnival hearts
hasten not, to finish fandango footsteps
unbroken and unchained,
a last lustful dance of desire
before a quick canter carrying
them homewards
to the haven of their hearts




         tangerine tango
         12 may, 2006
         ("Take my Phrase Please, Round 13")