Lakisha

It was a cold dreary day, the kind of day with absolutely nothing to but stair at the ceiling with the mouth open. I was 19 years old, I had only lived in Fresno for a year and I was restless. I needed something, anything to occupy my free time and my increasing monotony. All that I had done for the past year was work, study, and attend full time classes at CSU-Fresno. I was listless, lethargic, and lacking motivation. I remember instantaneously coming back into reality as a thought popped into my skull. I fell out of my chair and frantically ripped through the business section of the county phone book. HA! There is was, “Belly Dancing by Zamora’s.” I called the number that was logged in the book and I was nervous with anticipation. On the other end of the phone answered a pleasant woman. I felt comforted by her voice and at that moment I knew that had found what was missing in my life. Today, I could not imagine my life with out the dance. There is something hypnotic about hearing the sound of the Zildjians as one plays them on the fingers. As I dance I am brought to a realm of unsurpassed majesty as my feet move under me and I feel lighter than air. My heart starts to pound every time I hear the beat of the drum for I know that I will be surrounded by beautiful men and women who love the dance as much as I. I must admit that belly dancing is fun but at the same time, it is much more than that. With in this group, I have dear friends, acceptance, community, and a family of people who are always an arms length away to support me. So one may see that the dance is excitement, love, passion, and! mysticism but it also brings about friendships that will last the tests of time. No tonic, concoction, or drug can equal the ecstasy that this dance brings me and when I am old and plagued with an aliment that leaves me on my death be, I will take this thought to the grave,” Any one can learn the steps, but it takes someone who is extraordinary to love them.”