gypsies

gypsies

i found gypsies on campus.

standing in a ring, they played their music, and i watched them fight in slow motion. the sound of their drum was deep, and their clapping hands echoed into the night air. and how i love tambourines! and i marveled how each note was brought to life. but what's this? what stringed instrument is that, shaped like a pole and plucked with a maraca? and what tongue were they speaking? i couldn't tell. it didn't matter.

they smiled, greeting their opponent crouched, extending their hands, welcoming the challenge. i watched their bodies dance as they fought, watched with surprise at how each could predict their opponent's moves. what grace they had housed in their lithe bodies.

and oh, how their songs roared in my ears! each beat flowing in their dance! i wanted to capture the moment, but feared breaking its beauty.

i sat alone, watching, until the gypsies disbanded.