Carnaval in Arrecife

Carnaval night, Arrecife,The Medular, with friends
as the evening light darkens, street lamps flicker on
spectators gather and await the impending spectacle
as out of the twilight, first to emerge, are twirling

Japanese geishas in bright kimonos, spinning parasols

swiftly followed by a huge, emerald-green canvas dragon

heading south along the once familiar avenida
and the pavement bristles now with growing enthusiasm

enchanted children in animal onesies, their laughter

echoes along with the jubilance of dancers and drummers

clapping, high-fiving, leaping, iPhones held high

express joy through smiles or eye-contact with strangers
the Carnaval of colour and sound swirls past us
and explodes now before us, as I start to move in time

whilst the procession gives way to Bohemic urges

and drumbeats explode with multiple shots and whistles

twisting, turning, boisterous leaps and death-drops
of drag-queens, gladiators, dragons, owls and clowns

hip-hop monkeys, Peppa Pigs, mice and aeroplanes

flamboyant dancers and musicians rousing the crowd

their costumes billow and furl in a myriad of colour

bright flashes splattering the darkening evening canvas

neon lights of endorphin and adrenalin flicker and buzz

I close my eyes, swaying in time from side to side

twilight routines, rehearsed to raise the Carnaval spirits

while music pumps from floats moving towards Recinto Ferial

final destination for the Carnaval, gathering and swelling there

and we, legs tired from standing, return back to the car

through throbbing crowds, dry ice and hands punching the air

this Carnaval night still young for the youthful fiesta revellers

and heading past them now, floats stationary, hard music pumping