In the early centuries of Islam, Christians and Zoroastrians in the community would run secret drinking dens, where muslim poets celebrated the love of Allah with colourful imagery of wine and beautiful young men. Hafiz, Abu Niwas, Rumi are among the poets who used intoxication and homoeroticism in their words to conjure the experience of heavenly embrace. Throughout history, acts of celebration, intoxication and revelry have served to feed human souls with the joy of connection, communion and intimacy, the antidote to the attitudes of religious madmen have always railed against such activity. Whenever the world rails and wails, the people in the Alehouse continue to laugh, love and dance.
THE WORLD IS FULL OF WAILING AND WEEPING
BUT IN THE ALEHOUSE PEOPLE ARE STILL DREAMING
THAT JOY AND PLEASURE CAN SAVE US ALL.
When will the wailing cease?
we wonder as we raise our toast
and the world once more respond
TO DIONYSUS’ CALL?
Why are people stuck in judgement?
Why are people stuck in hate?
THE PEOPLE IN THE ALEHOUSE
CAN IMAGINE A DIFFERENT A FATE.
ONLY JOY CAN SAVE THE WORLD
AND ONLY LOVE CAN GIVE BIRTH TO JOY:
Love connects all beings in a web of immortality
but same-sex love was forbidden, named as immorality –
where love does not flow, spirit cannot go:
division and fear burst forth when love is met with NO.
Pleasure is a Goddess – the Ancients knew
Pleasure dissolves the boundaries between Me and You.
rainbow messenger 