We heard the sounds from a distance

cocooned in our ignorance, we had no fore-thought

the strains of the music held us in thrall

our wrapper secured tightly, we readied to dance

our feet moved to the timeless beat

our bodies swayed to the endless rhythm

the drums covering moans of relentless anguish

the rising tempo swallowed soundless screams

we danced the dance of death

none wiser, we reveled in our misery

our soles blistered yet we did not stop

we danced on hot coals and spiny thorns

rivulets of blood dripping; we paid no heed

our bodies covered with the sheen of sweat

tirelessly matching the range of the drums

our teeth gnashing in eternal suffering

emaciated skin stretched tight over jutting bones

grotesque smiles of blind terror pulled our lips

we moved to the strings of the puppet master

jerked like “voodoo” dolls with no life of our own

the fear we lived drowned our ray of hope

we cried for help but you did not hear us

we played music but you did not dance

so we took up arms and readied for battle

and the world was silent when we died.

                                                                                                        -Charis