In the Blood

Avatar Author: Jessica Cahill Read Bio

The first drummer started with a heartbeat, tha thump, tha thump, tha thump. I felt it invade my bones, inviting, demanding that I move. Easy steps at first to find balance and harmony with the other dancers.

A new, deep rhythm gripped my hips and I swayed to it, my limbs becoming warm with movement. I closed my eyes and firelight painted pictures behind my eyelids.

Other drums lifted their voices, filling the night with rhythms as ancient as the mountains. My body became quicksilver as I gave myself over to the dance.

I shaped joy with my arms, revealed desire with my torso, pounded a tattoo of love with my feet, the sound lost in the greater decadence of the drumming. Energy coiled around my legs, my chest, exploding from my hands in bursts of brilliance.

My people called to the sky, celebration our offering. Lost in the sound and movement, we did not feel the air change, did not see the first flash.

Thunder rolled across the sky, echoed in our blood.

The rain came.

I danced.

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Comments (5 so far!)

Average Reader Rating

  1. Avatar John Perkins

    Some really nice imagery in this piece. I like the parallel between the beating heart and the pounding thunder.

  2. Avatar Ronnie

    The “I shaped joy with my arms” sentence is to be applauded! Fantastic imagery!

  3. Avatar Garsecg

    I do love the sense of mystery in your work.

  4. Avatar Jessica Cahill

    Thanks alot guys. I’m very pleased with how this one turned out.

  5. Avatar Spiderj

    Really beautiful. Evocative and packed full of imagery. Captures motion well and I love the simplicity of the ending.

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