the music
makes my lungs quake 

there are people 
all around 
jumping up and down 
shouting 
singing 
howling into each other's 
ears 

the lights blaze from above
and the sides 
and even from the floor 

the immense room feels 
like the surface 
of a star 

and its inhabitants dance 
and cheer 
in the flames 

Everyone is happy 
everyone's ecstatic 
jubilant 
wild 
high
frenzied 

having the time of their
life 

And I am amidst 
them all 

They are talking to me
Expecting replies 

The party goes 
on and on
and on 

God... I've never felt lonelier
in my life.

---