My heart pounds out of my chest as I walk onto the stage, adrenaline rushes through my veins as the music starts. The heavy beat of drums fills the air, I start to move my feet in time with the music and the other performers follow my lead. My legs and hips follow quickly, cheers from the crowd rise once the music speeds up.
The chains that once bound my ankles in servitude are no longer tying me down. I am free to choose, and dance and sing until my legs give out and my voice cracks. This freedom I had only vaguely remembered once
as a young girl standing in the sun with grassy ground and trees spread sparse.
The excitement of onlookers is intoxicating as I preform without missing a beat. My legs carry me across the stage easily to the heavy beat. The train of my dress flaring up as I go, the beads and coins rattling softly.
I hear my friends cheer me on as I spin and smile, embers from the torches nearby whip harmlessly between stage and crowd, adding a literal flare to my voluntary performance. My hot pink hair flows with the flowers on my headband in the wind. The full moon's glow reflects off my white dress.
I'm the only one on stage now, it's almost midnight, the smell of wine and roasted fish is all around me, the drum's still pounding away with their hypnotic beat. My thighs and calves are on fire from dancing away half the night, and I'm still dancing.
