Songs of Bilitis - Benjamin Adamah

THE DANCE OF GLOTTIS AND KYSE
Two little girls had led me to their home, and as soon as the door was closed they
touched the wick unto the fire and wished to dance for me.
Their unrouged cheeks were tan, just like their little bellies. They grasped each
other by the arms and chattered joyously.
Seated upon a raised and padded trestle, Glottis sang in a sharp voice, and
struck her noisy little hands together.
Kyse danced in quick staccato fashion, then stopping, winded with laughter,
grasped her sister by her breasts, bit her shoulder and turned her roundabout
much like a playful goat.
COUNSELS
Then Syllikmas entered, and, seeing that we were so intimate, sat down upon the
bench. Taking Glottis on one knee and Kyse on the other, she began:
"Come here, my dear." But I remained away. Then she went on: "Are you afraid
of us? Come closer: these children truly love you. They can teach you things you
do not know about: the honey-like caresses of a girl.
"Man is violent and lazy. You doubtless know him well. Then hate him. He has a
flattened breast, rough skin, short hair and shaggy arms. But women are entirely
beautiful.
"And only women know the art of love; stay with us, Bilitis, do stay. And if you
have a truly ardent spirit, you'll see your beauty as within a glass upon the
bodies of your mistresses."
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