• the orphan and the phantom

    the orphan agnes! onyx locks spun in
    thick braids, around her neck shoes
    gilded with rare stones

    in the basking light, feet upon the earth
    arched, balanced upon the toes
    rolls into her pose

    slender arms bow, graze—toss the wild curls
    the chest extends—drops it down
    audience applaud

    white sister goat bleats, she rises swiftly
    on handsome hind legs she stands
    she declares the time

    la esmeralda! whose skin was kissed by
    her only constant neighbor,
    the sun, livens the

    men and all who watch, they seek reward:
    ripe innocence otherwise
    unseen: the gypsy's legs

    fleeting moments show, glimpses under her
    long ruby-gold hand-dyed dress
    slender heels arouse

    one man of dark eyes, is particular,
    he amongst the crowd is still
    enraptured is he

    potently he stares, infatuated
    a parisian nostril flares
    overwhelmed, engrossed

    frightening specter—brilliant sharp cheeks
    fervently redden, what's this?

    melancholy robes—funeral black—contrast
    to the very tapestry
    of festive paris

    stands he so angry, the wanderer spooks
    she knows naught, the obsession
    within him grows

    to view this creature, is enough to drive
    the priest phantom mad—with thoughts of such things:
    to smell her tresses—

    envy-so harkens, as parisians throw
    minted coins, bitter dom claude!
    move not forward, watch

    suddenly! halted, the olive skinned youth
    displays a most corrupting
    shiver, hope dies

    this! this is it, fate! yet this will be but
    discovered too late.