Argentine Tango

Argentine Tango by Jo-Ann Hughes

Walking circle, eyes scanning,

you came close, your hand an offering,

raising slender arms to heaven,

you curved an arm about my waist,

between strong shoulders

I felt for your embrace.

Eight notes breathing accordion,

hips curling, right foot cambering;

high arches like a vaulted dome,

turning, reeling from quickened pace,

foot stroking shin, sliding long,

curling round with conquering grace.

Brushing floor in circular motion,

raising knee, leg in between,

linking lightly in and over,

turning, lifting to inside thigh,

knee hitching to flick and kick,

returning with coil and crucify.

Feet biting, stepping, touching,

cross, ‘ochos’, behind, be-fore,

circling chains that tease and trifle,

we arch and slide to fervent high,

feet swivel, as calves caress,

while skimming toes in gentle glide.

Rising knee, we walk and spin,

seductive fingers, pulling closer,

lost in sultry syncopation,

toes tap and strut and intertwine,

slipping through, skipping over,

bodies connect and we combine.

Hips sway to tender swagger,

legs stretch to slide in square,

one, two, three, four; dum, di, dum, dor;

tilting backward, you to-ward,

stroking cheek, caressing collar,

we kiss then drift to loud applaud.