The Kathakali Transformation


I´ve witnessed the Kathakali Transformation

as a tourist in Kerala:

two men transformed by

masks, make-up, dress, incense

into Krishna and Radha,

god or demon,

come to life in their dance

of Good and Evil, Female or Male

Heaven and Earth.

A one-hour tourist version, not more,

yet it gave me an inkling

of what it means to dance yourself

into a higher form

of unity in diversity

beyond the plain appearances of Maya.