The stage is set
Moist and, muddy dewy grass, just like it needs to be
Decorated with a carpet consisting of a mosaic of coal and chopped wood.

I am calm so far

My previous calmness diminishes bit by bit
As I witness the carpet of coal and wood being set on fire.
It envelopes quickly in tall flames
The heat hitting my face despite me being at a far distance
It snaps me out of my idealistic perception into a sober reality of what it is I am planning to do

It isn't just me
I see the resolve fading away from the audience's faces
Excitement replaced by worry, doubt and fear
Suddenly the previously eager volunteers aren't feeling so hot about the idea

They know this
The leaders are aware of this
They were expecting it
Counting on it almost
They ceremony begins with the hypnotic beat of the drums
Drums that drunken my senses
My body taking a will of its own
It begins to dance and move and I am unable to control it
Limbs gyrating in perfect synchronicity with the beats
As if I had been born for this purpose alone
Drums always remind me of my lost ancestors
My physical appearance belongs to their murderers
But my soul? My soul remembers what it's real roots are whenever I hear drums

Their trick is working
The drums almost make me forget about the dangerous activity I am about to partake in.
Almost

That almost is my survival instinct crying out for my self preservation
I cower somewhat
Moving to the back of the queue
Delaying the inevitable

I see the others walk through the fire
Some are calm
Others are blissful
There are those that are scared
And then there's the few that...