Zaghrouta

Gossamer pink sweeps the hard granite floor,

In the stillness of the stars; a sea of belly rolls.

Chalk-white skin dabbled with rouge,

Painted lips and a frantic deluge.

Women of all shapes and sizes; swirling endlessly

The gala, the feast; and the awakening of the proverbial beast.

The dull thud of the desert drums;

Ululating crowds and gyrating hips.

Suns and moons resting atop

Glistening necks; entire constellations

Streaked across the eyelids.

Laden in petals and scented in musk,

In the midst of it all —

The cocooned flower;

The pearl in the oyster shell.

Encased,

Decorated,

And presented.