Drooping mustaches, unshaven —

invoked by the reed

rise with the murmurations.

Emerging from the black shroud

awakening after life — in white

felt tombstones tower tilted heads,

fingers grasping opposite shoulders

the alif breaks the seal —

palms turned, arms released above,

connect sky to earth.

Eyes closed, faces relinquish expression —

the whirl in dhikr,

an act of meend.

With each step

skirts follow in springs

with every pause —

in inertia

keep the spin in a bounce.

The teacher traces paths

between dancers

drawing starlings

into spiral creases and spokes.

The Semahane follows

the dancing whirl —

inflorescent light

in the sunflower field.