08-21-2014, 03:38 AM
Curling tendrils of tobacco haze
engulf the tiny space, hang
like ringlets over shots of whiskey
and mugs of warm beer.
A solitary dancer moves,
bracelets janglin’ and eyes heavy
with kohl, she captures old men
in mid drink as her hips sway
to Nina Simone.
Her bronze skin burns
with the hot stares of the audience.
She soaks it all in, twirls on bare feet
as the high priestess of soul bewitches
us with heavy grooves.
I close my eyes, tap fingers against glass,
whisper Nina’s words into the smoke
and breathe them back in again.
This is jazz, I think out loud,
this is pure unadulterated heat.
engulf the tiny space, hang
like ringlets over shots of whiskey
and mugs of warm beer.
A solitary dancer moves,
bracelets janglin’ and eyes heavy
with kohl, she captures old men
in mid drink as her hips sway
to Nina Simone.
Her bronze skin burns
with the hot stares of the audience.
She soaks it all in, twirls on bare feet
as the high priestess of soul bewitches
us with heavy grooves.
I close my eyes, tap fingers against glass,
whisper Nina’s words into the smoke
and breathe them back in again.
This is jazz, I think out loud,
this is pure unadulterated heat.