Andrea Mauk. “Canción de los seguidores /Song of the Constant Drum”

I don’t want to dance to Perez Prado,

to Celia Cruz who my mom adores,

I want my feet to lead the way when

the drum beckons me to the floor.

Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom-bomba,

My feet lead the drum, for sure,

el seguidor,

The drum follows me, for sure.

Shake

for the ones that came in chains,

Twirl

To find where the Taíno have gone,

Stomp

to wake your lost grandpa,

Wake him up, we’re not

hiding anymore.

Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom-bomba

it beckons me to the floor,

Bom-bom-bom-bomba y plena

beckons me to dance more.

Shake

for the ones who grew sugar cane,

Twirl

for the sterilized beauty queens,

Slide

to search for your Taíno roots

RISE

to discover who you are

RISE

to discover who you are

RISE

To discover your roots

RISE

to be seen and heard.

RISE

and dance

Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom- bomba

Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom-bomba

Dance to lead

the seguidor.