TANGO – ARGENTINIAN

 

TANGO – ARGENTINIAN

Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet

 

Spawned in the backstreet brothels

and bordellos of Buenos Aires

the ballet –like dance

‘the tango of the compadron’

between consenting males

flourished.

 

Men danced -

locked in symbolic mortal combat

in the steamy heat

– bodies brushing,

touching, embracing

in a dance of passion…

 

Until women were drawn

to the raunchy masculinity

of the predatory male

and wove their limbs sinuously

in syncopated rhythm

to the music of the guitars,

play acting the role

of pimp and prostitute

bodies pressed breast to chest.

 

Now sleek evening gowns

black tuxedos, top hats and spats

replaced the rough dress

of the compadron.

The argentine tango became gentrified.

 

But still on dark nights

on cobbled streets in corners of the old town

couples dance –

joined at the hip

beneath the light of the streetlamps

to a guitar playing

with passion and fire

a syncopated ostinato rhythm.