We interrupt the typical Shimmying Writer business–and by typical we mean the mind-boggling way in which Ms. Blakeslee continues to relevantly unite writing and bellydancing–to bring you some original poetry by our resident shimmier, which aims to bridge theory and practice. Enjoy. ~MGMT
I am Not a Caesar
after Sylvia Plath’s “The Arrival of a Beebox”
(first published in Bellowing Ark, Spring 2009)
I am not a Caesar,
nor am I a Cleopatra.
But I may be the principal dancer
in the Royal Egyptian Dance Troupe.
Nor am I a Cleopatra;
I lack cunning motives.
But I may be the principal dancer
and star in my own production.
I lack cunning motives.
But I can crack others open with wit
and star in my own production.
Dancing requires no cleverness.
But I can crack others open with wit.
I don a hip scarf of good humor;
dancing requires no cleverness,
only the shimmy of hips, steady breath, bare feet.