Making Up

Traffic paints the night again, lights
smearing curves round the coast road,
smudging the late bar crowd
spilling back to the city

while high in a hotel suite
the beat of tomorrow’s sun
is already heating your blood,
itching the soles of your bare feet.

The street calls you to dance,
but first you paint your face
into focus, dress yourself
in colours you’ve just discovered,
peel a new name from chaotic walls,
forget everyone you’ve ever been.