The Princess Of Joyabaj Poem by Seamus O' Brian

Eyes that dance in circles of fire
Blackest discs of moonless nights
Float on burnished nutmeg leather,
A pool of whitest pearl surrounds
This sensuous dance of Mayan fire.

Lightning fills the summer sky
The flashing grace of her generous smile
Shivers arrows of aching beauty to pierce
Those upon whom its radiance falls
Tempting a hunger for what cannot be.

Her playful lips purse and pout,
Each delicate, voluptuous
Upturned curve inviting, forbidding,
Always warning of treacherous depths
Where pleasures are promised
But never escape.

The shimmering black of silken strands
Gathered and pinned, pertly bounce
With every jaunt of her arching neck,
Hand on her hip, smile on her lips,
The Princess of Joyabaj will not be denied.

Outstretched hand, fingers beckon,
My heart hearing whispers
Her lips never spoke
To sway in the dance of her ancient fire
On the cobbled streets of Joyabaj.

Arms raised high, cafe con leche
Against the midnight blue
Of her Mayan camisa, embroidered
With shafts of volcanic rainbow,
Her skirt is rustling, her hips are swaying

And I find my heart singing
The words to a song
Already ancient when
Cortez was born.

The musical timbre of her sparkling laugh
Like the sun-scattered mist
On the jungle-greened heights
Fades with the memory of a touch and a smile
The hauntingly beautiful princess will dance
Down the cobbled stone streets
of my heart yet a while.