Poetry Entry Six

Celebrating Dionysos
by Kenn Payne

Divine Ecstasy of Bacchic might
I sing a song of wine
May it be as pleasing on the ears
As the “pop” of the cork
Or the shimmer of the crystal
As wine fills the glass.
Thrice-born, many blessed one
You who revels and reveals
Come now in frenzy
Both terrible and great
Enter into me –
Mind, body and soul.
With every sip I take more of You into me,
Fill me with that velvet liquor – to the top!
Your ecstasy in every drop!
Wine-maddened fog, rapturous oblivion…
The taste of You – strong and tannic – sets my teeth on edge
Like fresh bull’s blood; the saccharine taste of raw flesh.
Before Your splendour
I am like the grape –
Delicate, vulnerable, in need of care and nurturing
But by Your grace
Can I be transformed, as is Your gift
Into something as splendid, potent and fulfilling
As your marvellous liquor –
Prized gift amongst gods and mortals both.
Swirling and blurring, the world is surreal,
My feet leave the ground as I climb for the heavens.
The last gulp of perse liquid and I am Yours –
Wholly, completely: You and me, You with me – You in me!
Bull-faced wielder of the Thyrsos!
God of the vine!
Wild One!
Bacchic Lord!
Wreathed in ivy!
Shining Thrice-born of Nysa!
Blessed Meilichios!
Liberating Bringer of Freedom!
You who are attended by nymphs, maenads and satyrs in merry madness!
Dance the dance of life, death and life again!
In Your many names do I honour Thee, O Dionysos!
For so long I have searched for the Divine
And all the time it was written in wine…