DARK ALLEYS

Dazzling lights, the display of wealth…
Here we drink to each other’s health.
The music plays and laughter echoes;
The dance is on… Be on your toes!
When it all stops, all falls silent;
We step back. We all retire…
We walk out of the joyful tent.
We disperse from the bonfire.
Some leave in their great chariots,
Some with the ladies from the dance;
Some go with other lords or dames
Been offered a ride, just by chance.
And finally I too look around
Making up my mind to leave…
A truth that is so simple and stark:
I have to walk out into the dark…
I have to enter that same alley…
Where there’s no one with me.