Another Poem

Eva Yerbabuena is one of Spain's greatest living flamenco performers.  She combines astonishing technique with emotional depth and always brings something unexpected to her dancing.  Her dancing today often heralds what others will be doing tomorrow.

La Yerbabuena

Broken open by life—

My known self drained away,

Fear of the void filling my mouth,

Terror that I shall cease to be

Now that what I know myself to be

Has disappeared like water on sand.

But you are here.

In your eyes

I see reflected that glimmer of nostalgia for what I once was,

And may be no more.

I have become

Immeasurable

Volatile

Without fixed form.

But you are solid,

Your flesh is warm and fragrant,

Your body strong,

breath hot and expectant.

Bear me up towards the light

And, through your alchemy,

See what solidifies out of this amorphous state,

A final remnant

Of the waters of chaos.