Express yourself

Dance with me

in this fire .

Like an artist

conceive your passion

with strident swirls on a ripped canvass.

Sweat, weep, laugh and

dance,

but don't you just sit there

with pounding heart and

mouth full of the swirling of

the artist's brush strokes.

Kiss me

in these flames;

in the tempting rhythm

and heat.

Move your body and soul.

Sway, tremble, swing and

take the leap.

But don't you stay in that

safe, barren place aching for a taste.

Touch me…

even if it burns you.

Don't caress me with your eyes.

Don't tie up your hands with the

horrors of hell.

Hold me, reach out and

explore me.

But don't you wrap my hot body up

in winter's ball gown,

because you fear the consequences

of erring.

Come peer into another

plane of pleasure,

and see us writhing in ecstasy;

Not aroused by the

concept of consummation,

but mesmerised…

by the profound experience

of having conquered the conspiracy

our own pretence and prejudice.

8/4/96

Cornelia Botha