Play
Me The Marimba
Dancing
to my long held melody
I
visualized myself as an African princess
The
Marimba; played by a striking woman clothed in beads
She
smiled and frowned to demonstrate the reality of my melody
With
beads around my neck, breasts, waist and ankles
And
face painted by the village artists
I
longed for a new leaf that I had to turn ceremoniously
My
initiation
Never
a time could I wiggle to the sound of the drumbeat
Played
by hefty men that awaited the release of the virgins
Never
a time could I finally comprehend my song
I
drifted to a place of acceptance, of nudity
I
found my place of restoration and high spirits
And
complete was my picture also framed in colorful beads
Forever,
it will be a pleasant memory of womanhood in my life
I
remembered the frown on my Marimba woman
A
poisoned spear through an innocent soul
It’s
cause untraceable
My
new leaf would still have to fight its own battles
For
not all my days will be filled with smiles and color
She
hit a high note and smiled again
Only
this time, she laughed and sang with unspeakable joy
With
strength, independence and complete control
I
caressed myself in dance to experience her power
I
chanted entertaining words of tradition in tune with the rhythm
Clapped
my hands to the sound of the drumbeat
My
Marimba
My
colorful life
I
still remember the colors of a virgin
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