A Fire Dancer (Villanelle)

A short villanelle.

She shines past others like a ruby solitaire
And she stands a pillar against sullen skies.
Her dance is weightless when she imbibes night air.

Red silk and cream laces float to a flare
As able bounds spin her skirts in her flight.
She shines past others like a ruby solitaire.

When passers-by notice her rage, they stare
To the street’s unsung and priceless prize
Her dance is weightless when she imbibes night air.

Delicate strength pervades movements fair-
Concrete surrenders to two consummate thighs.
She shines past others like a ruby solitaire.

The vivacious dance throws knots in her hair
And it hides two impassioned, emerald eyes.
Her dance is weightless when she imbibes night air.

Her poetics rekindle dead flames in the square-
Her feet, not her fortunes, make her wise.
She shines past others like a ruby solitaire,
And her dance is weightless when she imbibes night air.