The Neapolitan Tarantella

The Neapolitan tarantella
is a folk dance very graceful and lively,
it was inspired by someone having been 
bitten by a poisonous Taruntula.


It's fast up-beat tempo
induces a frenzied dance in a solo,
or a couple...and as they dance they sweat out
the poison of the spider's bite.


Grandma used to sing this folklorist song,
and I danced with her while loud mandolins 
and tambourines accompanied her cheerful singing...
there wasn't an awkward note in her voice. 


The Neapolitan tarantella, with its frantic rhythms
and shrill harmonies infused passion in great composers,
and Mendelssohn wrote his symphony...
a song dance was composed by Rossini.


The Neapolitan tarantella grandiosely plays   
and everyone stops and listens to its low and high-pitched melody,
and with little hesitation they start to dance...
beneath my veranda, these folks put on a look of festivity.

Copyright 2009 by Andrew Crisci
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Brown Avatar
November 17, 2009 at 5:47 AM
Thank you for starting my week out with some excellent reading Andrew. May this week find you in good health and your pen be overflowing with inspiration. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
November 16, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Great info on Italian culture.. from one Italian to another .. hello... this is wonderful writing and grand explanation.. enjoyed .. my Grandma used to make me dance with her when I was little.. bravo.. u can check out Sara Kendrick's awesome thoughts on her poetry list.. and HGarvey Daniel's Daffy Definitions..on his list of poetry.. they are NOT contests .. just projects for those who wish to participate.. also Dane Ann Smith Johnsen too .. luv .. Linda-Marie, P.E.P.S. "Sweetheart"
Kendrick Avatar
November 16, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Interesting info here in this write. Keep the pen flowing. Sara
Gorelick Avatar
November 16, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I have heard of the tarantella..but never knew where it originated..thanks for the great poem. BG
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