A Lesson Of Life (Mata Hari) Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi
A Lesson Of Life (Mata Hari)
(dedicated to Ms. Anna Netrebko, a great soprano)
She wanted to live
Like a colorful butterfly
She was not content at home
She was not a good housewife
Tonight she'll dine with A
And tomorrow with B
She'll make a trip with C
She'll avoid serious liaisons
She never could dance well
They only came to see her
She was the first dancer
Who dared to show herself
Her success rose amazingly
With every veil she threw off
Her famous trademarks
Beaded bra, ornate headdress
Slender and supple
Like a sacred serpent
An elegant woman
Flirtatious dark eyes
Long black hair, bracelets dangling
Writhing to the beat of the music
Slowly removing the veils
That covered her body
Boundaries of art, sex, religion
Blurring them by her dance
To see her is an unforgettable
A paradise-like dream
Milan’s La Scala
Paris’ Folies Bergere
Giacomo Puccini also liked her
Better dancer than Isadora Duncan
Celebrated dancer
The infamous spy
Extraordinary life
The true seductress
Saga chapter
Captivated world
Thrilled audiences
Controversial performer
Taste for furs
Dramatic demise
Extravagant existence
Monte Carlo to Milan
Privately educated
Spoil by a father
A Dutch father
A Javanese mother
In Leeuwarden, Holland
Simple childhood
A decadent lifestyle
Between wealthy lovers
Bold
Exhilarating
Limelight
Illusions
Whenever, wherever she went
She attracted attention
But her life had been built
On half-truths and lies
Sensuous dancer
Femme fatale
Secret agent
Double life
With a stream of ambassadors, diplomats
She also socialized confidently with
Loving and leaving them
As she desired
She had passed information
To a beloved enemy officer
She had been so desperate for money
While she was in Madrid, Spain
Into cold winter breeze
In a grey suit, steps out
The dawn just breaks
In a morning fog
Towards a line of silent men
She is led across a muddy field
Refuses a blindfold
Choosing instead to look
Morning calm shattered by gunshots
She falls to her knees
Before slumping to the ground
She stares a few seconds at them
Motionless she lies
Towards the dark sky
Her face weakly turns
She's no more with us
OH, BOY, MR. SHIDDIQI, THIS IS TRULY BREATHTAKING, HEARTBREAKING, HISTORICAL, AND SO DARNED WELL-WRITTEN AND TRULY SENSUAL! YOUR TALENT IS SHOWING TO THE MAX. YES, ANOTHER POIGNANT DOCUMENTARY WAITING TO BE MADE BY YOU. BY THE WAY, RE ISADORA DUNCAN, MY AUNT, LEONORA HUGHES, WAS A FAMOUS BALLROOM DANCER, TOO. HER DANCE TEAM NAME WAS, MAURICE AND HUGHES. THEY DANCED ROUND THE WORLD BEFORE KINGS/QUEENS/HEADS OF STATE. SHE WAS A MOVIE ACTRESS, ALSO. INTERESTING ERA. THIS POEM, BACK TO BUSINESS, IS A KEEPER, TO BE SURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CAROL
A spy's story is retold in verse form simply and nicely
What a wonderfull tribute to this famous woman. I like it as a friesian to hear about Margaretha zelle best known as Mata hari troughtout the word. She had the best of both worlds combined. Reminds me of another half javanese poet here in Sneek and his brother both artists at heart. Tjeerd lighthart is a real joy and a tribute to both friesland and indonesia. Unable to live of the art of poetry he ran a indonesian restaurant was a teacher and a waiter biding the time he was left without inspiriation. He told me he would not write for months and suddenly hed write for days. Fortunately he got published. Still i miss his cooking as i thouroughly enjoyed their food. May angels greet you Boomwhisperer Ruerd
What a wonderfull tribute to this famous woman. I like it as a friesian to hear about Margaretha zelle best known as Mata hari troughtout the word. She had the best of both worlds combined. Reminds me of another half javanese poet here in Sneek and his brother both artists at heart. Tjeerd lighthart is a real joy and a tribute to both friesland and indonesia. Unable to live of the art of poetry he ran a indonesian restaurant was a teacher and a waiter biding the time he was left without inspiriation. He told me he would not write for months and suddenly hed write for days. Fortunately he got published. Still i miss his cooking as i thouroughly enjoyed their food. May angels greet you Boomwhisperer Ruerd
Very nicely written. This one is rather long but it had no trouble holding my attention all the way through. You tell a good story indeed, my friend. Thanks Richard
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 12:16:53 AM # 1.0.0.1119
An epic poem about Mata Hari, very well written again, I enjoyed reading it, Lynda xx