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.