By Jan Marin Tramantano
the dancer is poised to begin.
her back rigid, arms in position,
hands, wrists ready for muñecas, feet
anchored, she waits to begin
her footwork slowly
each tap, tap, tap, tap
gentle, distinct, one
speaking to the next,
building cadence, compás
growing insistent, growing
louder, a quickening heartbeat
finding its pace
I am deep within you,
I dare you to find me,
I dare you to feel my rhythm
she whispers
her kindling smolders,
rising up within her
almost ready
to set her ablaze
her arms dance, castanets
clap, hands and feet click
punta to heel, in a
synchronized fury
ella sabe quién es,
she knows who she is
an enigmatic smile
crosses her radiant face
she is no longer tame.
Jan Marin Tramontano is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Floating Islands and Woman Sitting in a Cafe and Other Poems of Paris. A third, Paternal Nocturne, (Finishing Line Press) will be released in late January. She also wrote a memoir about her father, I Am a Fortunate Man. Her debut novel, Standing on the Corner of Lost and Found, was published in September 2011. Her poetry, stories, book reviews, and interviews appear in numerous literary journals, magazines and newspapers. She belongs to the International Women's Writers Guild, served on the board and as program chair of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and is a member of Poets House and the American Academy of Poets. The poem "Flamenco" won third place in San Francisco's annual Dancing Poetry contest a few years ago.
NOTE: Virtuoso guitarist Maria Zemantauski will be giving a free performance from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th at the Hudson-Chatham Winery. Check it out!!
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