The Sacred Wash

The women stretch their clothes on the line tied between two grenadia trees, in the circular sun. It’s noon, and the wash by hand is complete. Sweat drips, their moumous cling to their backs. The waterfall from the mountaintop invites them to swim for a moment, a vibrant song on lips thanks the waterfall for flowing. Each woman gets out of the water with a helping hand from another. Heat of sun dries their moumous quickly on their bodies and their wise faces glow. Homemade grenadia juice in a jug and water from a blessed well is shared. The two elders with gray hair drink first. They take three sips, the jugs are passed to the right on to the next woman, completing the circle of eight. They gather their sandals, and tie on their blue or white headscarves before they pick up their woven baskets. The elders lead the way home through the woods of the mountain. Before sundown, they will make the same trip back in the cool shade to gather sun rays hiding in clothes.