The first cervical vertebra is called the atlas and it holds up the skull Beneath our feet, Atlas shifts and grunts trembling under the weight of the heavens nestled where his neck melts into his shoulder The funny thing is there is nothing holy here hidden in our skulls Amma drowns our house in incense and wafts curling smoke into my face from a plate of fire Blessings and purification, she says as she spins from room to room in a swirl of scarlet silk and bone white jasmine She tells me I'm too sad, she tells me it's my own doing, she smears sandal and kum kum onto my forehead like she could cleanse my mind like this room Don't worry, Amma I've strangled my demons in the dark and made sure to do it silently Just as I've been taught There is nothing holy here, true, but there is nothing else here -Sudiksha Karthika