BEAUTY PALLOR

                                             BEAUTY PALLOR

                                           Ole’ to the senoritas  

                                               fighting the bull

                                           from an endless cue

                                                    of toros.

Horns lowered,

eyes glowering,

staring

at a Mexican market stage,

we stood,

         separated from –

         yet red-cape-tivated by –

the beauty of

a Mexican songstress              

reigning

         with a Latina flair

from her mariachi band --

         firmly in command of

                  the music —

                  and us men

                  standing

in a crowded market square.

Petite, stately,

with long black hair

         ribboned at the waist;

dark eyes emanating grace --

A visual feast:  

 To us, inedible,

with a taste:   

         At best,  imaginable

and only from afar.

Dennis R. Keefe, April 2, 2007