KHELEL: WHY DO GYPSY WOMEN DANCE ALONE?

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When there was no paper or pens for writing

And not many Romani knew how to read anyway

No money for paints and brushes and

Musical instruments were reserved for the men

(Although women could make a churo, a tambourine,

Tie coins or small horse bells together or

Make kastaneta from ocean shells)

How to create when materials scarce

Even for cooking or sewing

Khelel

Dance

The creation of steps:

Move left, move right

Kick a leg high

Undulate voluptuous hips

Tapped with the tambourine

Shake the bra-less breasts

Toss the head of thick, long hair

Close the eyes and be transported

To a universe where the

Ceiling is always star-lit

Embers flare as

A long skirt whirls around,

Stirring the air

Redolent with pine

No stench of poverty or abuse or bigotry

And if by nurture or nature

This female freedom is passed along

Some form of a genetic…