[neon]

Olive Lambert

do halos buzz like neon signs—

white noise in the white space

neon held me closer than divinity ever did—

soft sounds in my ears, lullaby

an angel with a tattoo sleeve watches over me—

guardian of bubblegum vapes

my fifth case of energy drinks—

sleep and I are on bad terms

counting change in tune with moth ambiance—

flocking to the OPEN sign haloing her head

the angel breaks my ten dollar bill—

I forgot my ATM pin again

the star tattoo snaking up her forearm sparkles—

virgo, the virgin

I was once a virgin—

confessed over the crack of a can

the angel pretends to care—

swigs holy water from a beer bottle

when she kisses me, it burns—

not a good sign for my chances at heaven

I reach my tongue out—

taste the lingering bubblegum

a moth flutters away, startled and singed—

the neon sign burns against my lips