~ A.R.T.L.A.B ~
Through an oversized, biohazard signed door led
Into meshed-fenced pen, beneath an ambient sea of red
Made of reinforced steel; towering at least eight feet high
On a full moon cast night... under a May, spring sky
Feeling euphoric buzz rise… of a chemical daze
Waiting eagerly at door of a private party rave
A.R.T.L.A.B. it was called... now a legendary rave
Down an alien-headed, welded staircase was led
Into dark bowels of a warehouse; techno lair daze
There, a wall of music hit me… fractured by strobes red
Blackwashed floor, walls and windows; UV-painted sky
Where both Hippies and Punks danced away the night... high
Floor’s thundering vibration... all minds and spirits high
Hard Trance beat, penetrates… intoxicates the rave
Thick white smoke bellows... creating atmospheric daze
Floating hands; angled movements sequenced… elation led
Eyes ablaze and mouths contorted; cheeks blushed... blood red
All arms raised in air… serpentine in lightwave’s sky
Soaring now on music… with Lucy in the sky
Levitating in moment... on dopamine’s high
Strangers all-embracing… encircling spotlight red
Everyone loving each other… art, culture, rave!
Mere rats, to the music’s Pied Piper… DJ led
Riding the undulation... into oblivion’s sky
Across the dance floor... wide-eyed constellation sky
Frenzied stomping feet… dance in a hyped,
marching daze
Quickening to crescendo... from the decks we’re led
Bursting into applause and waving glow sticks high
Bouncing floors, pulsating walls, of a 90s rave
Abstract, gurning, ‘Dali’ Faces… eyes all blood-shot red!
Suddenly from basements darkness… lazor pointers red
Unwelcome daylight pierces dance floor… rude dawn’s sky
Police in full riot regalia… storm the rave
Lovers huddled in corners… now in panicked daze
All scrambling to seem sober… to dispel their high
Ravers, still dancing, but in handcuffs… outside led!
Hedonistic youth’s daze… faded, now sunset red…
Today, frequent calmer sky… as age quelled the high
Now, in only dreams rave, halcyon days… once led
© 2022 - Violet Moon Poetry #sestina
