Mortal Dance
A poetic tribute

bury me in serenade alive between beats tension courts slack brightly seeking death in harmony
crooked, lithe incantation rebellion brimming lively pulse jumps to celebrate life’s mortal dance
Notes: Inspired by “Lapinha” (Powell, Pinheiro) performed by Elis Regina. This song has a deep history to unpack. Sergio Mendes, has a fantastic toned-down version and Baden Powell a truly mellow bossa nova take, but Regina’s is more authentic and interesting in the refrain, invoking anthemic folk rhythms of Brasil, including Capoeira in explosive, busy sound. The “off-key” tune of bossa nova, heavily clad in percussion and berimbau is fully recognizable — almost dissonant — as well as uplifting and celebratory. In bossa nova style, the jubilant sound is countered by darker lyrics about non-conformity, rebellion and the murder of famous Capoeirista Besouro (aka Beetle). The chorus chants “When I die, bury me in Lapinha”. Here is a link to her live performance around 1968.
Written for the July Summer Music Challenge where I wrote a poem or story about bossa nova for 31 days. See below for all entries including Terry Barr’s 8 brilliant memoirs about summer and music:
