She was the girl that always had a match
But never a light
Mmm hmm she said to everything
One tap and ash falls from the tip
The smoke drifts from firework lips
And the summer day so muzzled
You don't see the maw of night
With incisor stars snarling
The whole time hiding
You-should-see-the-other-guy
Bruises from the boys
Arm and arm down the sidewalk
Neck and neck to the tape
That breaks and everyone's won
Except her, again.
The racers tried to race her and then
Erase her before she bucked.
She knew better, knew
That nothing was ever made new
Just the same stuff moved around
The way it's been since the first bang
When she felt so much closer.
Cigarettes bright burning to ash
Burst blood vessels heal
And skin is ready again
For the night with bites untender.
