wax and gold

"The technique of 'wax and gold' is the basic structure of Ethiopian poetry, that is, besides the obvious meaning of the text (the 'wax') there is also another sense (the 'gold') hidden within the poem. Qene are sung when they are recited." While Andy and I are in Ethiopia, we'll at least get the wax down here, though Andy guarantees there'll be no singing. We'll see.