Bagai batangan korek di pegangan tangan, putih,
setiap ujungnya terbakar, lidah api menyambar
sebelum berkobar juga dalam debar nyala --: pada
lingkar pertama penyaksi mata, menderu, panas,
terang lepas, gerak tarian di tengah lingkaran itu
pun mulai menebar menyulut mata.
Segalanya terbakar sempurna, tiba-tiba saja.
Lewat kerling, ia sulutkan jua api di rambutnya,
menukar memutar segala: seni tari yang berani,
dia kenakan busana, hasrat hati yang menyala,
kedua lengan bangkit, menggapai, bertepukan
seperti ular yang tegak terperanjat.
Dan kemudian: ketika api kian berkobar menakutkan,
direnggutnya semua lalu membuang ke luar arena,
sepenuh yang ia kuasa, sepenuh bangga, gerak tubuh
angkuh, dan saksikanlah: dia berebah di sana,
menggerigis lantai dasar, masih berkobar menyala,
menyerah ia tak hendak---
Hingga ia percaya telah menaklukkan segalanya,
dan senyum yang mengajak, ditengadahnya wajah,
lalu memberi tanda dengan kaki yang kecil bertenaga.
SPANISH DANCER by Bob Rohm
Spanish Dancer
As a wooden match held in the hand, white,
on all its sides shoots flickering tongues
before it flashes into flame—: within the inner
circle of onlookers, hurried, hot, bright,
her dance in rounds begins to flicker and spread.
And suddenly, everything is completely fire.
One glance and she ignites her hair,
turning all at once with daring art
her entire dress into a passion of flame,
from which, like startled snakes,
the naked arms awake and reach out, clapping.
And then: as if the fire were growing scarce,
she takes it together and throws it off,
masterfully, with proud, imperious gestures,
and watches: it lies there raging on the ground,
still flaring up, refusing to give in—.
Till triumphantly, self-assured and with a sweet
welcoming smile, she raises her face,
then stamps it out with small, powerful feet.
