For a Burlesque-Dancing Biologist, 'Ecdysiast' Is Not a Euphemism

By Jennifer Elise Wang

Ecdysis 

Ecdysis is the shedding of the outer of layer of skin, 

A process that the burlesque dancer  

(Saltator burlesca) undergoes. 

As the dancer approaches this phase, 

Her outer skin shines like it’s made of crystals. 

She basks in the light; 

The burlesque dancer actually becomes more active 

During the time of ecdysis. 

A gleam appears in her eyes, heavily lashed and lined. 

It is time for the first piece to be shed. 

She bites on her finger to initiate, 

A sharp motion, followed by a gentle sliding 

Of the skin off one arm, then the other. 

She undulates to a rhythm, 

Circling her hips 

And feeling her body with fingertips. 

Scientists hypothesize the contact 

Helps with the process. 

There is a small opening on her back, 

A flap of the old skin. 

She tugs until the largest piece comes off. 

Then she bends to remove the skin on her legs. 

It seems stuck on her foot. 

She smiles, 

And it pops right off. 

No one knows if the pause was intentional. 

As the last pieces are shed, 

We see the burlesque dancer in her new skin, 

Iridescent and smooth, 

Glowing with new life. 

She bows and takes her leave 

Until she is ready to return 

To begin the metamorphosis again. 

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Ecdysis, revisited 

The snake prepares 

For her signature act, 

'Ecdysis'. 

Her costume contains 

Muted colors 

And milky blue spectacles. 

For such an individual 

Known to be predatory, 

She appears vulnerable, 

But when it’s showtime, 

She shines. 

Fluid flows down her cleavage, 

In between the layers 

She is about to shed. 

The snake’s stage contains rocks 

Upon which she rubs herself 

As she coils around, 

Grinding and grinding 

Until her costume starts to come off. 

The single piece glides over her head 

And she slides out, 

Looking dewy and new. 

Spectacles gone, 

She looks with clear, shining eyes 

At the audience 

She has enchanted and awed. 

She doesn’t need to bow.  

• These poems were first published in in the online University of Texas Southwestern Institutional Repository in 2018. 

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Jennifer Elise Wang (they/she) is a nonbinary femme in STEM and punk rock pretty boi poet from Dallas, Texas. They are also a burlesque and drag performer, cosplayer, and action sports enthusiast. They have been published in FERAL, just femme & dandy, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, and Edge City. Follow Jennifer at Bluesky: @jeniverseabr.bsky.social and Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeniversewritings  

Photo credit: The Naked Lens