Isn't This Bliss?

Many years ago, I lived in an area where Drum Circles were common. In fact, there were Drum Circles organized by different groups in at least four separate locations at various times of the month and different days of the week. Some attendees who had extra drums were happy to share them with others. Most drums were djembes, but sometimes there were also doumbeks, bodhráns, frame drums, and other styles as well. Some attendees brought flutes, digeridoos, tambourines, bells, or other instruments. One guy frequently brought odds-and-ends he had found, like two sticks from the woods that he tapped together, or inexpensive items that made clanging noises which he found at a hardware store. He was quite creative! LOL!

Some people attended the Drum Circles because they enjoy drumming. Some people came only to stand on the sidelines and listen, or some only to dance out in the middle. Some came because of the music, some came for spiritual reasons, some came just for the camaraderie. But it was always lovely and it was always great fun, too.

Most of the Drum Circles had a mix of genders — some women, some men, and some who blurred the lines society tends to draw. We also had people from many walks of Life. One fellow in his early 20s always arrived on his skateboard. Next to him was a middle-aged man loosening his necktie after a day in the office. Then, a couple of free spirits with dreadlocks, a young Goth couple, and an older guy with a USMC tattoo on his arm. Deep down, we're all just people, human beings trying to make it through this Life. And we all got along together beautifully, as it should be.

A couple times each year, some of the women felt drawn to gather without the gentlemen, and we passed a quick invite to other women during breaks. Those women-only times were a great mix of feminine energy and bonding with each other. It was always a rewarding experience to congregate with other women in that special way we do.

The following is a poem I wrote after one of the Drum Circles I attended, trying to capture the mood. We didn't actually stay up dancing and drumming until dawn or noon, but the idea is that attendees lose track of the time during such events, and our spirits are often "dancing" long after we disburse. 😊

ISN'T THIS BLISS...?

     darkness consoles me
     sparkly things excite
     hair flies wildly
     trance into the night

     ankle bells jingle
     full skirts aswirl
     drum beats pound
     prayer flags unfurl

     dance in shadows
     dance under moon
     dance through dawn
     dance until noon

     beads count mantras
     deep within my soul
     healing sounds emanate
     from singing bowl

     smoke from incense
     candle flames kiss
     dreams on horizon
     isn't this bliss?

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