(for mercedes baptista)

en bahia women wrap
cloth like sun flowers
round their heads move
like soft coast waves in
velvet rufflin gusts of
wind
        the samba
ripples every muscle
quivers wakes up to rhythms
dances flirts
mercilessly pink coral earrings
taunt at shoulder’s length
one hand motion is the midnight
secret in-out in-out in-out
hips laugh uhuhuh
ankles-buoyant guide toes
kneadin the earth small
winsome streets brown
bodies sing silver
bracelets tinklin
en bahia some move
graciously still swayin
still tall swayin graciously
ripplin the samba swayin
limbs like water-falls
still gracious flowers burst
intricate rhythms of sunsets
swayin clouds gracious still
sway embracin the skies
en bahia
    women
        samba