To Dionysos

[hearthstone]

Dark-eyed Dionysos, bringer of delight,
who gave sweet wine, its joys and its perils, to man.
Dionysos, born of Zeus and unknowing Semele--
Semele, burnt in the flames of her lover's splendor,
a brief glimpse of the eternal, paid for dearly--
fearful your wrath, overwhelming your gifts, your power.
Dionysos, god who walks in light and shadow,
I pray to you. Grant me release from reason,
strength to step away from safety, faith to follow
heart alone, will to close my eyes to habit,
to follow impulse, to let go of comfort,
to welcome change, to bear what is torn away.