'Second Coming'

American Christians!

Your wait is over!

The Second Coming

You have longed for

Has come to pass:

Not of Jesus

Whom you honor

With your lips,

But of Bacchus

Whom you honor

With your deeds.

And, lo, great wonder!

You witness his

Coming not once only,

But once every year.

See how kindly the god

Condescends to dwell

In your mortal flesh,

Like the demons

In the swine herd!

Such grace he bestows!

He gives you to gorge

On food and wine

Until even violated nature

Feels a deeper shame.

Then with bulging, cloudy eyes

You are invited to watch

The blessed magic screen

Till they are nigh burned out.

But the highest ecstasy

He gives last, for

He is a loving god:

Brother waylays brother

With frenzied fist

For shoddy, slave-made treasure,

Which only seems to grow in value

The more it is sprinkled

With flecks of human blood.

Give thanks!  Give thanks!

To Bacchus, America, your most beloved benefactor!

Give thanks!  Give thanks!

To your god, America, now and forevermore!