city lights cascade the night, 

strong aromas of booze savor  

the winds as they drift away 

but soon, they resurrect 

from our breath- our mouths  

vials of liquid poisons 

parties behind alleys, 

bleached blonde brows, 

cat eyes, glitter streaks, 

studded boots, and sweat  

like moisturizer glossing each face 

raves in backyards,  

flashing strobe lights, 

a rainbow collecting souls, 

and we dissect, into rows 

of ultraviolet rays 

there’s a boy, lit in indigo 

he reminds me of him. 

his manners reminiscent 

and in a dance, bodies 

syncing like waves, 

i meet him. 

his kiss on my lips, 

press a secret 

he confesses he’s lonely  

and has lost his way 

i tell him- i feel the same.  

and in silent agreement, 

we proclaim, affection for a night,  

is all we need to quench  

the thirsts of yearning.  

and we, ring out lust 

in a stranger’s home. 

in the heat of the moment, 

i remember he is a mystery too, 

and our names, pseudonyms, 

hide our shame. 

broken for different reasons, 

we align, before we separate, 

and once again, we search for the next wilting leaf

trying to turn a night into sufficiency.

and i, in my chaos, plant myself in misery

i have failed again. 

at my best, i’d declare tonight is the finale

and with the strength of goliath, 

move forward- but i have not  

yet dodged that stone. 

the night is my mistress, 

and my vulnerability feeds 

off the convenience of our infidelity. 

so my eyes wander 

they contemplate escape 

but when the lights return, 

blue chooses my face 

and once again, so does his.