the neon lights were blinding.
and we stepped in without a care.
she whispered into my ear.

'twenty bucks, and you'll love me'

thumping bass and lights glittering the night.
with empty stares and one dollar bills
held in the air. I thought I saw happiness in her eyes
but it was just the cocaine.

she called me her christmas eve present.
partly because she couldn't remember my name.
and the rest- because I paid attention.
and she had a tear when I told her she was
too beautiful
for there.

grinding on my lap- she told me she works for it.
and I asked her. simply.
why.

she traced my tattoos with her fabricated fingernails.
and told me about her past.
with the techno beats of some noname dj
in the background- and we weren't so different.
her and I. she kissed my neck
when she told me about her love for poetry.
and rubbed my arms when she spoke of monet

and when she licked her lips towards me.
and i asked her. simply
why.

she spoke clearly and stated.
'for twenty more, I'll suck your dick'

and i thought I saw happiness in her eyes.
but it was just the cocaine.
and a little bit of the lost hopes- drowning.
within this striptease starlet.

I handed her twenty. and said.
she's worth more- just for the company.
and she cried.


as I walked out. she grabbed my arm.
[thankyou] was whispered to me.


and she asked. [wish on a star. for me tonight]
and I'll kiss the one that you
just put back in my sky.

and I smiled. for the first time that night.