Percussion beats reverberate

Joining guitar strums 

For the paje’s daughter 

To enter her chant,

Her voice starts calling, in undulations

Drawing in depths of this forest 

Into my head, eyes closed —

My mind glistening 

Fusing with vibrations

That awaken and permeate this space.

They lift my hands gently

My body follows 

As I lie dwelling in my mind, 

Drawn and stretched, afloat above.

I take my form with my floating self

Now standing.

My fingers reach, to touch

Her meandering voice —

Follow, sliding all slipstreams

Of tessellating vibrations,

Evoking distant memories in twirls

Of gestures in Bhartanatyam, Kathak,

And reverence.

The dance that lived in my mind

Now free through my body

Filling all lonely spaces.

Legs rooted 

Torso moving in the rhythm.

For the fear of losing my expression,

I did not open my eyes 

All night through dawn, 

For I had found happiness.