The swooping swallows
had been replaced;
night like a thick charcoal line
had settled across the mountains
I’d heard about the ceremony before,
but this was my first time.
Cautiously I stood at the back
of the snaking line of
chatting children, while the first
golden tongues began to lick
the crackling palm leaves.
The bravest of them bounded over the fire
as it snatched at their heels.
Finally it was my turn,
mesmerized by the flames I began to bound—
it only took two steps for me to trip
over the folds of my skirt.
It was then that I realized that
I would be unable to jump,
and so would be tainted by sin
for another year.