Neon drowned beach seethed
with a thousand lantern souls
flickering on sand
and the shoreline was a trembling zodiac.
Fifteen teens with salted ankles
trying to imprint their footsteps wandered
in the surf\'s murmur.
Fireworks sprouted a feverish omen
scribbling the sky with a signature
of new beginnings.
Time splintered into a dozen rival midnights
each cluster chanting their own numbers.
Overdose of celebrations required relief
drifting us to a laughter filled kiosk
with zero bulbs fluttering in imagined colors.
Mercy ushered us in with warmth
but the door clicked shut behind.
Instinct prickled first,
fists hammered the night
and hinges whined.
Morbid fascination made
me cast a final look at the makeshift table
where hands moved with careless hunger
plucking pockets, tugging fabrics
tearing moments into shapes of shame.
Counterfeit dawn arrived dripping
down the dark
painting the sea
in a pale rehearsal of pretend play.