When flame and feet are made of dance

In glide and swirl
uniformity and difference
the fire flavor and drum beat
playing off one another
and playing to audience,
the exorcism of evil
the entertainment of the curious
sweep of arm and telling of tale
there is ritual and belief
artistry and con artistry
discipline and anguish
in the narration of their lives
in the reading of ancient script
so old that nothing else comes close
to cutting edge
resident in the tongues of fire,
some in heat and others too subtle
for name-disclosure.

[Inspired by the photography of Chandana Wijesinghe]

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