Dance, Gypsy

[Rani Zemirah]

This story was told to me in a dream one night many years ago, where I was simultaneously the
old gypsy storyteller, one of the children at her feet and the young dancer
whose story was being told. It actually woke me up and insisted I write it. It
was almost like it was being channeled or something, except that I had to figure
out how to make it all rhyme... lol.



Dance, Gypsy

The full moon has come to the gypsy encampment
The horses at rest and the bonfire laid
A blanket of stars settles down o'er the wagons
And out of the night steps a bold gypsy maid

Crimson and gold is the cloth which adorns her
Flashing dark eyes and black flowing hair
Slim as a reed she stands by the fire
With one supple arm flung into the air

Sweetly at first come the instruments voices
Violins passed on for hundreds of years
Witness to all of a gypsy's great passion
Polished with many a wanderer's tears

Ever so slowly the gypsy maid dances
And circles the fire with sparks in her eyes
Then leaping and bending and whirling faster
She dances her joy for the stars in the skies

Around and about the maid spins enchantment
And even old souls are stirred by the sight
Passions run high in the heart of the gypsy
For every man here knows what happens tonight

A night of all nights is this, to be sure
When a young gypsy maid, unwooed and unwed
Loosens the braids of her childhood years
And takes for herself a lover to bed

Skillful and sure are the steps of the maiden
Instinctively knowing with all of her heart
The path she must take and the obstacles there
That keep a young girl and her lover apart

Then suddenly everything ceases to move
The violins, gone from the quiet night air
To the grass, like a stone, drops the maid by the fire
And offers her hand to the man who stands there

For this is the man she has chosen to marry
The one who has stolen the heart from her breast
A laughing dark gypsy, both gently and strong
A loving companion on life's gypsy quest

He leads her now swiftly deep into the forest
Where, soft with rose petals, the marriage bed stands
The symbol of joining throughout all the ages
Prepared by her husband with strong, loving hands

As the young maidens cry of surrender goes out
Those in the camp will hear not a sound
For the feastings begun and the revels will last
'Til the full gypsy moon sinks into the ground

Wine will flow swiftly as blood through the veins
As wild hearts sing and cry out to each other
Laughter and dancing and sweet violins
And every man here calls every man brother

So dance, gypsy, laugh, be merry and sing
Rejoice in the love found by two of our own
For tomorrow we go where the stars have decreed
But this night has seen two who shall not go alone



Wendy E.
© 1991

[anne of oaktower]

This is amazing!!! You've told the story so well, I could see it unfold before me as I was reading. Well Done!

[Rani Zemirah]

Thank you, Anne! I posted this so long ago I didn't even think it had been read at all!

I wrote it so long ago, but the dream is still so very fresh in my minds eye that I could describe every detail of the camp even to this day...

I really appreciate you reading it, and the comment just made my day! 

[lordwriothsley]

Amazing poem Rani. I liked that. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Rani Zemirah]

Thank you, Lord W, it's so kind of you to say! It's always been one of my very favorites, and I'm excited that it's begin read at bit!

[lordwriothsley]

Have you ever thought about writing a book, because with a poem like that it could be a big seller (the book that is).

[Rani Zemirah]

I actually did publish a small book of poetry many years ago, but it was before I wrote this piece. I do have another poem posted here called "Golden" that will be published in an anthology of sci-fi/fantasy poetry and short stories that Blackbead is putting together, as well as another piece that is not posted here. I haven't written much poetry in the last few years, though, but I have been writing more short story type things.

Thank you for your kind words, my friend... they warm my heart! (especially after that really cold walk to school!!! LOL)

[lordwriothsley]

The pleasure was mine Rani. Any time you need a few words of encouragement or just a few kind words you know where to come. Is there anyway you could find a copy of that book you wrote that you could post on here cause I would love to see what all you have written. I haven't written much poetry lately myself but I have written a few good ones though. I do plan on getting back into my writing soon and who knows the next poem or song that I write I may post it on here.

[Rani Zemirah]

Lord W, since I did all the layout myself, and simply took the master to Kinko's and only had 100 of them copied, then collated and stitched it all myself, there are very few copies still in existence, I'm sure. My mother has one, but I don't have time or energy to type it all in, although i do have a link to a page that has a few of my poems on it, though nothing as old as that early book!  LOL  You can find them here.

[lordwriothsley]

Thanks Rani. I'll be sure to check it out later.

[lordwriothsley]

Hey Rani for some reason my computer is not letting access the book you posted on here that I asked for. Just now when I went to check out your work it gave me an internal service error message. Any idea on what could be casing this? 

[Rani Zemirah]

Yes... it's the website, tribe.net. It's frequently down, with no explanations, so you might try again some other time... It's not a book, though, just a few of my poems from a few years ago. Sorry... I'll check it and see what the deal is.

(update)
Hmmm... I didn't have any problem accessing it, so it was probably just that the server was down at the time...

[lordwriothsley]

Thanks just thought I'd let you know what was going on.

[Rani Zemirah]

I appreciate it!