Salome

Legs apart,

Belly thrust

Like an impudent child,

You seduce danger

Or seek battle.

Gazing through me,

Your servant,

Lift your proud skirts

But don’t dance,

Less haughty than

Defiant.

Salome Dancer (1909) by Robert Henri (1865-1929)

Poem number 2 of 30 Poems In November for Center for New Americans. I was pleased to spend some time with this painting today; she resides in the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College.