Oh to sit with my drum. My old friend, that I haven't connected with, in far too long, I sit on the couch outside, which rests against the truck. Looking out at the trees and mountains. My bare feet on the earth, dusty earth at that. From these long hot days of summer. Where it has been quite a while since we had any real rain, to drench it's thirst. It's so hot outside and even hotter, inside. So what is one to do, But ride it out, wait for the temperature to drop a little and then drum my beat.
It's been too long, way too long, since I held my drum in my hands. I'm shy at first, cautious even and I find, I am doubting myself. So I start of slow and steady. Close to a heartbeat and it softens me. The sound, the vibration softens me, I let everything drop away, as I focus on my drum and the beats I can creating. My favourite wooden stick. That was lost for a while, but recently I found it. It fits so comfortably in my hand. It feels so good, so at home.
The skin on my drum, is damaged on one side. It got damp one time, when I was living back in Ireland, in a bus. And well, it never recovered. So I have to hold that side, against my side as I play it, to help tightened it. Slow and steady, but not for long. It's never for long. I feel the urge within me and the beat begins to quicken and grow. I find my rhythm, I explore it and play with it. Sometimes it's chaotic, then it can slow down. Always changing, with my eyes closed, it's just me and my drum, with my bare feet on the earth.
All the images used, are mine, taken today.
