the glowing neon screams a red vacancy into the night as passing cars cheat me of another night's rest and headlights blind me through boarded windows. termites and bed bugs dance along the walls as i lie alone, watching the wallpaper as it flays and falls onto the floor. the roaring hum of a single fly adds to all the noise, and static in a muted box keeps me listening. this head forever throbbing, this heart forever void, these arms forever empty, and this bed forever lonely keep me forever company in this room next to screaming neon that reminds me there is a vacancy – there is always a vacancy
By Ryan Bausch