Capoeria

They glide, they dance

I'm enveloped in a trance

Watching them sway

Seeing them play

Maybe, just maybe

I'll jump in today

Agora nós jogamos, calls the beloved mestre 

A deal was struck so I must keep my end of the bargain

The question is do I have the nerve to get up and take part in

Part in this beautiful energy of this great family.

Fear takes a grip

Wondering will I slip?

I probably might trip.

Flushed with cheeks the color of ripe strawberries, 

The eyes fixated on me.

I kneel before the bateria, I kneel for all to see.

The voices chanting paranaue, their hands clapping the palma de angola, 

And the music begins to breathe life into my soul

First we au, then comes the ginga, a couple of meia lunas and I go for the hold. 

Instead it's me disarmed, dropped and laughing hysterically on the floor.   

Full bellied laughter between short breaths with vitality and adrenaline courses through my veins

A union of many faces uplifted by the axe

Such sweet freedom Capoeira brings.