[I have been fascinated by drums for most of my life, particularly the highland drums, which are technically amazing and remarkable in their rhythms, which are more complex than anything else I have ever heard. Recently I have been reminded by the return of Battlestar Galactica to TV, that drums are remarkably effective mood instruments—just love those Galactica drums! I particularly like the way they use them to overcome the physical fact that there is actually no sound transmitted in space.]
The drums that shook the earth
before the battle, sent the warriors
up the ladders over the ramparts
roaring—such is in the heart of a tiger
purring, elephant thunder off in the distance
rumble, heart of a lion.
[ If you try to say this with North American animals, the effect is not the same, as we have not set up our beast with the same images: our animals are more secretive, wily, restrained. Worth thinking about.]
