The Drums of Nikai

By Salima Rivera
Vibrant and throbbing
the beat of his drums
parrots the rhythm
of his vibrating heart.
The sheen of fine sweat
on his face and his hands
reflect back a light
in the glow of the sun.
A tropical jungle dream in his head
where victorious young warriors
return from the hunt
dance madly impassioned
to the strokes of his hands
rising and falling in pulsating time.
Faster and louder the beat on the drums.
Wild and abandoned the dancing becomes.
A feverous climax—their bodies are spent
as the echoing pulse rides
the tide of the wind.
The quivering leaves sing to the sky
praising the sonorous voice of Nikai.

Notes:

“The Drums of Nikai” was first published in Nosotros Anthology: A Collection of Latino Poetry and Graphics from Chicago, Revista Chicano-Riqueña 5, no. 1 (1977), edited by David Hernández, and subsequently published in It’s Not About Dreams (Erato/Poetry, 2014). It is reprinted with permission of Kayla González Huertas.

This poem is part of the portfolio “Salima Rivera: A Chicago Rican Poet.” You can read the rest of the portfolio in the March 2024 issue.

Source: Poetry (March 2024)