For a number of years, I myself was involved in belly dance. I have always enjoyed going to the Westcott Street Festival -- my first teacher had a Westcott Street studio -- and that was one of the first public venues where I saw it performed in Syracuse.

When I was thinking of something visual for my haiku, the idea popped out at me, and as I played with words and images, it came together.

A lot of dancers wear as part of their costumes shawls or scarves with coins on them tied around their hips. When the dancers shimmy, the coins move and sparkle and it's very bright and joyous. I think the belly dancers add a lot of color and interest to the festival.