we were carnival believers back then.thought we’d win the prize,just because our cotton candy hearts said so.dangling our feet above a worldwe’d not yet learned cold,but far-flung and fascinatingand full of warm light. we had that glow in our dark eyes then.saw the light even when the lights went out,even when others couldn’t.because hurt only lived behind bandaids,and broken pinky promises.yet we were all pinky promises back thentwirling ourselves into a pact,to being this honest,this true,forever. now lifeis one big glow-in-the-dark promise,that when the lights go outi will still bethis honestthis trueand fullof warm light.