Moon Dancer (Poetry)

The music moved her and she danced
like one in thrall — her soul possessed
her body swayed as though entranced
the rhythm flowed — her spirit blessed.

And those who watched were filled with awe
the ancient chant thrilled every nerve
and touched their hearts deep at the core
matched beat for beat each step observed.

Her passion grew as she danced on
her dark eyes fixed upon the moon
that held her fast — all senses gone
her feet enslaved to that old tune.

Under its spell she danced all night —
a frenzied shadow whirling round
until the dawn’s thin slant of light
traced a bare circle on the ground —

grass worn away by two swift feet
before she disappeared from view
released from measuring each beat
she blurred at last into the blue...

Now there’s a legend haunts that hill —
the ghost of music playing wild —
a figure — faint — that’s dancing still
they say she was a gypsy child.