Tribal Dance Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

The drummer on the percussion
After violent beats to the rhythm
Of the steps and heads moving
Left and left with blood in motion
Like fits the whole body
First to the left and then taking
An unnatural right twice before
It moves to the left and a little backwards
The hands in eloquent hanging and in a row
Following the intense movement of the chest
The beat is now beating in the head
The steps as in the air when the earth
Bounces it back for a more joyful swing
The drummer in ecstasy himself starts
To dance to his own rhythm and percussion
The tribesman pride and his masculine symbol
The dance of war and of love
And equally sung with the women beautiful
In the dance of many colors in circles
Or in small groups you may name it
From wardak, to atanrh, to two faced
A three faced or sitting with sword in hand
At times and the silk kerchief
With the signature of the beloved
Long ago we danced like mad
In youth and now the youth
Wants to learn and is bearing in head
All the steps of the beat and subtlety of percussion
Kill it not for then the blood shall freeze
In veins in vain and understand the meaning
Let the beauty of the culture survive
The times are good the times are bad
The turbulent times on this earth
Muses with blood and flowers alike
11/12/2008