Bacchus' Lament

The drums beat heavily, almost vibrating the air
Walls sweat like marathon runners
Outside, the snow falls and the wind howls
Electronic sounds ring out as he walks through the crowd

Amber liquid sloshes in the bottle as he moves
Smiling Maenads whirl and grind against each other
People grasp human forms, hypnotized by the beat
Breasts and hips press and release against his body

Cockiness and confidence surf on the pounding bass
Primal nature bubble under all surfaces
Joy and ecstasy flow like the Tigris and Euphrates
The bar is packed and he smiles as he lifts the drink to his lips

The smile is a mask to hide the emptiness
Night will bring an end to the festivities
Couples, old and new, will go home
Friends will stumble to eat and see Somnus

Women will move on with proper suitors
Music-makers return home and drink-slingers close up shop
Dionysius stands alone for a moment
He holds onto the crowd's energy and his friend's joy

In the maelstrom of the party, he is the calm facade of a center
Happiness moves him through the dance with others
Anger pushes him through his solo performances
The end is coming and soon he must greet Nox and Hemera

So he moves and smiles and hugs and high fives
People come and go, he stays solo by consequence
The night ends, day breaks and reality set in
Bacchus is alone with just his memories and hangovers