Below is a collection of wonderful poetry written by an amazing woman, who is a dear student of a very good friend of mine. Lea is a very special lady who writes from the heart, and has put her thoughts and feelings into a collection of work that not only connects through love of dance, but also feelings and experiences. Lea's work is so fabulous, I feel that it is too precious not to share with our wonderful dance community.

INNER CHILD

The drumming starts…
The spell is cast…
Then suddenly I'm under.
Hypnotic trance…
This magic dance…
My 'INNER CHILD' stirs in her slumber.

Exotic beats…
She shimmies beneath…
But I just have to take this chance.
It's only once a week,
A magnet drawn…
I must perform…
This enchanting BELLYDANCE.

I twirl around…
Pulsating sound…
Just how long she'll take -
I am not sure.
Deep down inside is where she hides,
But I don't want to find a cure.

The tension builds, as I play my 'zills'…
She's slowly charmed -
From her 'kundalini' sleep.
Deep inside my belly now -
She's hissing to be set free.

Her sensual rising in my spine;
My hips gyrating up and down;
My snake arms moving from my sides;
Her coils inside me…
Slowly - slithering around.

I feel her writhing inside my heart;
Veil/tail thrashing at my heart's chamber door.
My 'INNER CHILD' starts to go wild,
She won't be tamed now… anymore.

I sense her soul energy… uneasy;
Delicious poison through my veins;
My body now fills with her beast;
No longer will she be restrained.


The music of the Middle East…
Its tantalizing, mysterious sound;
Calls her 'Serpent Soul' to be released,
So she can dance wildly around.

I feel her now enticingly consume my being,
As I relish every throbbing beat.
Exotic and wild is…
My 'INNER CHILD' -
Her 'Serpent Soul' has been unleashed.

I visualize, inside my mind;
Her fiery eyes just mesmerize.
I cry for help…
Her venom felt…
Although scared,
I passionately…
EMBRACE my own demise.

I ask the Goddess Isis to protect me…
Protect - my physical human being state.
Incase my 'INNER CHILD' devours me and
Steals me through…
Earth's Spiritual Gate.

Then Goddess Isis holds out her staff,
To tame my own 'Soul's Serpent Beast';
She STOPS the music with her mocking laugh…
Released - My physical body is now at ease.

I slowly breathe into my self,
ECSTATIC… is how I feel.
My 'INNER CHILD'… so excitingly wild
I know in my heart -
Her spirit is REAL !

And so next week…
I'll take the chance,
To do it all - AGAIN;
Perform the sacred BELLYDANCE
When…
My 'INNER CHILD's - Serpent Soul'
Is lovingly UNCHAINED !

Lea Thompson
5/9/08