Page:Poetry, a magazine of verse, Volume 7 (October 1915-March 1916).djvu/37

Mirella Dances So a little past sixteen Sadie disappeared "On the streets—that's where she'll end," Said each reassuring friend To the little crooked mother Brooding on a fate she feared. "Sadie always was that mean!" Grumbled Isidore, the brother, Plucking at his silky beard

Out from the wings, half-shy, as half-afraid, Timidly poised as if for startled flight, Fawn-like she steps, and round her hesitant feet Lurks the charmed circle of the calcium light. A moment thus, as by her fears delayed, She hearkens—dryad —to the sensuous beat Of savage rhythms, then half-emboldened sways A little from the hips, and then more bold, No longer she delays— Maenad—but with fierce glee and sensual glance Lithe, amorous, ecstatic, uncontrolled— Leaps to the footlights in tempestuous dance. And they who sit within the darkened hall Feast quick insatiate eyes and smite their hands When breathless, brazen, palpitant she stands