Heather Dale
Bacchanalia
I was the altar, silent and purposeful
Solid and ancient, with ways of my own
Awaiting a caretaker, quiet and solemn
Who found with her hands all the cracks in my stone

I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by
I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by

You danced the Bacchanal, lost in your rite
Deeply in love with your own liberation
Distracted and wild in your wine-soaked delight
And not predisposed to be careful or patient

I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by
I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by

I sampled spilled spirits and tried to be free
For a moment it quickened my pulse
You spun with your friends in ecstatic elation
Warming my face with your casual touch

I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by
I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by

Barely aware of my presence beside you
You openly shouted your offer
But I’m sorry, your vibrancy just isn’t for me
I will keep waiting for somebody softer
I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by
I felt you arrive, but I let you dance by