Friends , this very short poem was first published towards the end of 2007 in 'Poemhunter.com' . I have now added four more lines ! Hope you like it !
THE BELLY DANCER !
THE BELLY DANCER !
The sparkling dazzle of those chandeliers ,
Transformed the night into an endless day !
And underneath its ignited glow ,
The belly dancer's hips gyrated to-and-fro !
With her semi-veiled face and mesmerizing eyes ,
And the rhythmic quiver of those half-clad breasts ;
Her belly button a vortex of tantalizing desire ,
Hypnotised all those gathered guests !
In the smoke filled hall as the drinks went round ,
With eyes all glued to the central stage ;
The music echoing the Arabian Nights , -
Swept them beyond all clime and age !
The Oriental music raced their blood ,
And ignited the night with the heat of desire !
Who knows , before the night comes to an end ,
They all may be consumed in that eternal fire !!
-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
Karin Anderson
A passionate and picturesque poem Raj and because I go dancing (not belly dancing) by zumba, folk, line, square, bush and English Country, I find it an engaging read especially as music and dance creates a powerful energy of which you write about so fluently. I thoroughly enjoyed it Raj~
A passionate and picturesque poem Raj and because I go dancing (not belly dancing) by zumba, folk, line, square, bush and English Country, I find it an engaging read especially as music and dance creates a powerful energy of which you write about so fluently. I thoroughly enjoyed it Raj~
Sylvia Frances Chan
The Belly Dancer, a very true precise observation makes this very beautiful poem, RAJ! Sweet sensation this belly dancing!
The Belly Dancer, a very true precise observation makes this very beautiful poem, RAJ! Sweet sensation this belly dancing!
LightH2O
Love middle Easter music and belly dancers, I can totally imagine the mesmerizing music and her sensual dance...well written.
Love middle Easter music and belly dancers, I can totally imagine the mesmerizing music and her sensual dance...well written.
PrEmJi PrEmJi
but who knows... who identifies the pain of her lone heart...
but who knows... who identifies the pain of her lone heart...
heather wilkins
excellent write.
excellent write.
sugi
A perfect visualization Raj. You have performed the role of a Poet come artist who has painted this beautiful verse with the hues of beauty. Loved it...!
A perfect visualization Raj. You have performed the role of a Poet come artist who has painted this beautiful verse with the hues of beauty. Loved it...!
Simply Bono Razek
sensual write & someday I aim to master this dance :-)
sensual write & someday I aim to master this dance :-)
Ken e Hall
Belly dancing schools are around the world...being a dancer I prefer the sensual giration of the hips of a girl doing the rhumba who knows how to do it...sensual poem Raj...regards
Belly dancing schools are around the world...being a dancer I prefer the sensual giration of the hips of a girl doing the rhumba who knows how to do it...sensual poem Raj...regards
PrEmJi PrEmJi
wine... woman... woos... superb write raj ji... i still remember the belly dance from a bond movie...
wine... woman... woos... superb write raj ji... i still remember the belly dance from a bond movie...
deeptangshu
Powerful and sensual
Powerful and sensual
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
Another verse to tease the senses... Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Another verse to tease the senses... Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Prince Obed de la CRUZ
yeah... don't roll the wrong side of the dice if you should not gamble the risk... be careful of your desires... guard your heart... nice poem...
yeah... don't roll the wrong side of the dice if you should not gamble the risk... be careful of your desires... guard your heart... nice poem...
Raj Arumugam
a vivid description of the life of desire...
a vivid description of the life of desire...
mamta agarwal
Raj, you write with such humour as an outsider watching the going ons on the floor and inthe minds of onlookers. a very graphic, tantalisiiing write, the last four lines end on a philosophical question; Desire, fire and the blood racing in the veins...
Raj, you write with such humour as an outsider watching the going ons on the floor and inthe minds of onlookers. a very graphic, tantalisiiing write, the last four lines end on a philosophical question; Desire, fire and the blood racing in the veins...
Kesav V Easwaran
those last lines constitute the soul of your most symbolic poem... a repost on pf - am i right?
those last lines constitute the soul of your most symbolic poem... a repost on pf - am i right?
RAJ NANDY
Ron Peat 06 Jul Mr. Nandy: looking at your poem metaphorically; it is quite deep in what it suggests. The poem causes much speculation about the depth of intent in the piece as a whole. I might have suggested some changes. But as a whole it is a very strong statement about desires. For where we place desire our experience follows. So by mentioning the group of watchers in the poem as participants to the dance's intent, then the poem indicates a mass delusion or hypnosis of those participating. A very strong statement in the end about our times, especially in the mid east, and war in general. It could be easily seen as a political statement of our times. Where individual reason is lost for the more fascist pull of any government upon the individuals of a society. A very interesting poem to say the least, Raj. It is very powerful and seductive as well. But the metaphor is very deep the way you have presented it with the viewers as participants. A courageous write no matter how you look at it and from what level you see it. This always what makes poetry timeless. Your poem has so many levels of understanding to its depth: form the story line to the most political intent and social and spiritual as well. My hat is off to you in that regard, a great poem. It could be cleaned up some however. a poet friend//RH Peat Ron Peat 06 Jul Mr. Nandy: looking at your poem metaphorically; it is quite deep in what it suggests. The poem causes much speculation about the depth of intent in the piece as a whole. I might have suggested some changes. But as a whole it is a very strong statement about desires. For where we place desire our experience follows. So by mentioning the group of watchers in the poem as participants to the dance's intent, then the poem indicates a mass delusion or hypnosis of those participating. A very strong statement in the end about our times, especially in the mid east, and war in general. It could be easily seen as a political statement of our times. Where individual reason is lost for the more fascist pull of any government upon the individuals of a society. A very interesting poem to say the least, Raj. It is very powerful and seductive as well. But the metaphor is very deep the way you have presented it with the viewers as participants. A courageous write no matter how you look at it and from what level you see it. This always what makes poetry timeless. Your poem has so many levels of understanding to its depth: form the story line to the most political intent and social and spiritual as well. My hat is off to you in that regard, a great poem. It could be cleaned up some however. a poet friend//RH Peat
Ron Peat 06 Jul Mr. Nandy: looking at your poem metaphorically; it is quite deep in what it suggests. The poem causes much speculation about the depth of intent in the piece as a whole. I might have suggested some changes. But as a whole it is a very strong statement about desires. For where we place desire our experience follows. So by mentioning the group of watchers in the poem as participants to the dance's intent, then the poem indicates a mass delusion or hypnosis of those participating. A very strong statement in the end about our times, especially in the mid east, and war in general. It could be easily seen as a political statement of our times. Where individual reason is lost for the more fascist pull of any government upon the individuals of a society. A very interesting poem to say the least, Raj. It is very powerful and seductive as well. But the metaphor is very deep the way you have presented it with the viewers as participants. A courageous write no matter how you look at it and from what level you see it. This always what makes poetry timeless. Your poem has so many levels of understanding to its depth: form the story line to the most political intent and social and spiritual as well. My hat is off to you in that regard, a great poem. It could be cleaned up some however. a poet friend//RH Peat Ron Peat 06 Jul Mr. Nandy: looking at your poem metaphorically; it is quite deep in what it suggests. The poem causes much speculation about the depth of intent in the piece as a whole. I might have suggested some changes. But as a whole it is a very strong statement about desires. For where we place desire our experience follows. So by mentioning the group of watchers in the poem as participants to the dance's intent, then the poem indicates a mass delusion or hypnosis of those participating. A very strong statement in the end about our times, especially in the mid east, and war in general. It could be easily seen as a political statement of our times. Where individual reason is lost for the more fascist pull of any government upon the individuals of a society. A very interesting poem to say the least, Raj. It is very powerful and seductive as well. But the metaphor is very deep the way you have presented it with the viewers as participants. A courageous write no matter how you look at it and from what level you see it. This always what makes poetry timeless. Your poem has so many levels of understanding to its depth: form the story line to the most political intent and social and spiritual as well. My hat is off to you in that regard, a great poem. It could be cleaned up some however. a poet friend//RH Peat
Ron Peat
When passion ignites the heart there is no "clime or age" the body is consumed. A single passion that is held by many in unity makes a strong group. But those that are led by a single image loose their own interpretations. Great poem you have hidden your metaphor is plain sight. A belly button of concern: Birth of desire. A poet friend//RH Peat
When passion ignites the heart there is no "clime or age" the body is consumed. A single passion that is held by many in unity makes a strong group. But those that are led by a single image loose their own interpretations. Great poem you have hidden your metaphor is plain sight. A belly button of concern: Birth of desire. A poet friend//RH Peat
sathyanarayana
A perfect piece of poetry. I never saw a belly dancer, except few excerpts in movies...but I wonder whether there is any other inner allegory in this poem...the read is wonderful and the feel is excellent.
A perfect piece of poetry. I never saw a belly dancer, except few excerpts in movies...but I wonder whether there is any other inner allegory in this poem...the read is wonderful and the feel is excellent.
Pranab k chakraborty
So accurate the observation and its hidden philosophical explanation, never any dark charm haunts the reader, rather an expansion of existing dance-game indirectly invites us to have the ecstatic flavour of night. Recognition of such profession. Would reformist allow this money spending pleasure-journey (when the country is India) ! Know not. But a well gripped idea to transform into the serenity of poetic expression. Done it nicely. Thank you for sharing.
So accurate the observation and its hidden philosophical explanation, never any dark charm haunts the reader, rather an expansion of existing dance-game indirectly invites us to have the ecstatic flavour of night. Recognition of such profession. Would reformist allow this money spending pleasure-journey (when the country is India) ! Know not. But a well gripped idea to transform into the serenity of poetic expression. Done it nicely. Thank you for sharing.
Romeo Della Valle
Wow! It reminds me of the first time in the 80's when a friend took me to see a Belly Dancer in Times Square, New York City, I was flabbergasted and I have never being able to forget that night of ecstasy! Great work my friend and glad to read it and fully enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Love and Peace for always!...
Wow! It reminds me of the first time in the 80's when a friend took me to see a Belly Dancer in Times Square, New York City, I was flabbergasted and I have never being able to forget that night of ecstasy! Great work my friend and glad to read it and fully enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Love and Peace for always!...
Meggie Gultiano
wow..my eyes were glued to your words, Raj..well written piece
wow..my eyes were glued to your words, Raj..well written piece
Meggie Gultiano
wow..my eyes were glued to your words, Raj..well written piece
wow..my eyes were glued to your words, Raj..well written piece
shanmugam
sensually pictured. well written. shan
sensually pictured. well written. shan
Ravi Sathasivam
"Hypnotised all those gathered guests..." That's true. Excellent write my friend.
"Hypnotised all those gathered guests..." That's true. Excellent write my friend.
Amitava Chakrabarty
well written..
well written..
oskar
very, very good loved the belly button of desire
very, very good loved the belly button of desire
Fay Slimm
Wow - you brought it all to intensive reality Raj - - I was there in that light and - - yes I was dancing along with the wonderful Arabian lady - - pure magic in this write Raj - - thank you for the invite to read.
Wow - you brought it all to intensive reality Raj - - I was there in that light and - - yes I was dancing along with the wonderful Arabian lady - - pure magic in this write Raj - - thank you for the invite to read.
Lynda Robson
Wonderful atmospheric write, I too felt as though I was watching it
Wonderful atmospheric write, I too felt as though I was watching it
Bob Blackwell
Took me back to my time in Baghdad so many years ago, your description is spot on Raj
Took me back to my time in Baghdad so many years ago, your description is spot on Raj
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
I felt like I was there, enjoying the festive evening...Love this most descriptive verse Raj...You certainly know how to keep our attention. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
I felt like I was there, enjoying the festive evening...Love this most descriptive verse Raj...You certainly know how to keep our attention. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Cat
all so true, Cat
all so true, Cat
nimal dunuhinga
Warm as a flame! In the heat of the night?
Warm as a flame! In the heat of the night?
oh this is warning for the faint hearted..beware the guiles of the bellydancer! I like this a lot..I was there in the scene...as a woman though, I'm not sure whther I'd be allowed to be there!