The Local

Photo by Florencia Viadana on Unsplash

In this dim, dilapidated temple
Shabby devotees of Dionysius
Perform the daily rite with bitter fruit
Of grain or vine or libations tawdry
As the venue of their keen worship.
So pious they, these shabby shamans,
Six days each week they make pilgrimage
And await the opening of the shrine.
Solitary in run-down pick ups,
Ramshackle old jalopies where each
Sits rapt and bowed, meditating on
The divine oblivion to come.
The high priestess unlocks the sanctum,
Performs the ritual glance and wave
Signaling her squalid flock that services
Will commence anon.  The drab unshaven
Disciples of drink tread noiselessly
Across dirt packed firm from the procession
Of past postulants seeking in potation
To fill the endless void of existence.

6/16/2025