swirlsofpurple

Flash, flash, flash,

Too many half-there reds, greens, blues,

Push, push, push,

Too many hands, shoulders, feet,

Loud, loud, loud,

Too many beats against her skull,

Too sticky floor,

Too hot air,

Too much, too much, too much.

Find a bathroom, close the door, breathe,

Splash, splash, splash,

Water on her face,

Cling, cling, cling,

Fingers on the sink,

I am having a good time

Having

Good

Time

Smile, smile smile,

Step back into the cacophony,

Dig fingers in arm, stare at clock, is it too soon to leave?

“Are you unhappy?”

The strobe-lights halt. The music cuts. Everyone stares.

The accusation sits heavy. Are you us? Or are you Other?

I am happy

They look into her eyes. They take her pulse. They see her sweat.

The crowd chants,

Other, other, other,

Wait. Wait. Wait: I am having a good time.

They let her go.

Smile, smile, smile,

Must stay happy ‘til the end,

Stay happy ‘til the end,

Happy ‘til the end.

Jun. 14th, 2022