Blood Burning

Blood burns behind pearly white smiles,
where beauty is decided
long before names are known.

Air-kisses float between powdered cheeks
while sweet perfumes linger
outlasting any warmth at all.

Queens laugh while measured eyes assess,
as aesthetics quietly decide
who gets to stay.

Men pant as liquid lies run sweet,
their praise already edged
with bitterness.

Halos fixed
In stained, mirrored toilets;
Smiles recalibrated at the door.

Disco fog
Swirls with each throbbing beat;
A new twink begets another clique.