exchanged interactions during midnight attractions centering around a common-purpose fire where we lose our eyes uncovering the lies that hinge us to this door closing slowly

we direct our attention inward and pout

it lasts only a moment

solitary stillness in a crowd

we paid our admission to mingle with like minds bobbing to a single rhythm

we glance around

voyeur tendencies alerted by sound

i drift back and recognize the collective

it disturbs my jaded perceptions bringing into focus the tentacles strumming and striking, dipping and retiring to a place where we know we’re safe

i run to feel free