<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class="">the Dervish turn</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><br class=""><i class="">
note to self<br class="">
1999</i><br class="">
<br class="">
she settles her sikke<br class="">
firmly on her head<br class="">
prays it will not fall off<br class="">
<br class="">
bows to the Sheikh<br class="">
raises her wings <br class="">
one palm skyward <br class="">
receiving grace<br class="">
one palm earthward<br class="">
offering mercy to<br class="">
this mutilated world<br class="">
turn, turn, and turn<br class="">
until everything vanishes<br class="">
<br class="">
her circle skirt rises<br class="">
soft leather slippers<br class="">
kiss the ground<br class="">
there is music<br class="">
she does not hear it<br class="">
silence settles inside</div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Amrita Skye Blaine</div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div>
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