A Lesson from the Rhythm of Life ?
This past July i was invited to attend
the Largest Drum Circle in the Midwest.
Honored by the invitation, i found myself downtown
in Grant Park surrounded by hundreds of "drummers" !
i was awestruck by the beautiful mosaic before my eyes.
From babies with rattles, to the oldest,
a woman of eighty eight; passionately banging her drum.

Men, women, and children of all shapes, sizes
and every color imaginable displayed in fabric and flesh.
There was hugging, kissing, laughing, shouting,
singing and dancing with abandon.
People were slapping rhythms on each others backs.
Primitive yet Arousing!
And the Sound, God, How do i describe it ?
Intimate,Ecstatic,
Hauntingly tribal, Sensually sexual,
Joyfully celebrating !
All clearly understood without a word.

At one point it started to rain and the Circle Leader raised his hands
and the urgent fury translated from hands to drum,
caused the clouds to roll back and the sun to shine.
Just plain Powerful !
i noticed the event was surrounded by onlookers
and the Circle Leaders were quick to offer
simple instruments so that anyone could take part.
No matter how inhibited someone felt, within minutes
they were smiling, moving and an active part of the Tribe.
They just couldn't stop it !

When it was finally over, i met and talked to atheists, buddhists,
christians of all backgrounds, a druid, jews, muslims,
a rastafarian from Jamaica, a satanist, a voodoo priest from Haiti
and a couple of witches.
Some were articulate in their beliefs
and many were honest and said they didn't feel accepted by religion
but were sincerely seeking.
All i know is, when we were playing together,
we were One.

As we began to leave,
there was a feeling of Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness
and Faith that maybe Rhythm could bring Us together.

i know One Thing, there's a beating deep in my chest
that hasn't stopped, yet . . .
Play Nice Kids . . .