Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, METHODIST DANCER, by FLORA SHUFELT RIVOLA


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

METHODIST DANCER, by                    
First Line: They said the dance was all the devil's own
Last Line: In beauty's clean, white flame.
Subject(s): Dancing & Dancers; Methodism; Religion; Theology


They said the dance was all the devil's own,
They chorused in a voice of one accord,
But I went out unto his starry throne
And danced before the Lord.

It was not that I chose thus to affront
His marshals of the self-appointed sort,
'Twas only that wild beauty bade my feet
Dance there within his court.

And all my soul felt God's eyes looking on,
His glance lent singing rhythm to my feet,
The time to which my body, my soul danced
His august finger beat.

I had forgotten all the old, old lies,—
I had forgotten—till the marshals came,
And then—I burned them there before their eyes
In beauty's clean, white flame.





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