~ Under Neon Stars ~

As the sun sets
and darkness slides upward
cloaking the stark realities of the city
neon lights twitch and lay down their glow
streaking across dirty back streets
colors are smeared across puddles
between scattered pieces of alley trash
bluesy music escapes through cracks
of aging sooty brick structures
 lonely hearts put on their evening wear
attire for roaming the streets
and smoke filled dimly lit bars
looking for love, another chance at romance
in a back corner under neon stars
they resemble tissue paper
between the pages of emotional flares
and complicated stages
where no more is required
behind closed doors
but the occasional fling
desire’s fires and cheap passions soar
turning out the lights
‘til dawn begins a new day
but daylight will bring reality
of tawdry passions chased in midnight’s way
where blood boils hot and 
visions blur with false truths
and a warm partner is found
quivering lips, willing and made for sin
invite a flight into the grip of oblivion
for a few delusional hours
they hide under the blanket of darkness
until misconception at last soars
within the arms of a stranger
a night of unrealistic hope 
a moment of escaping the solitude
where neon illusions
are as flimsy as  tissue paper dreams

Photo of Joan Bennett
in "Scarlet Street" 1945