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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Just a Few Butterflies” Down in the Dirt, v193 (the 3/22 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Ice that Was the Down in the Dirt Jan.-April 2022 issues collection book		get the 420 page Jan.-April 2022 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

The Freedom of Having Nothing

Nicole Bird

It’s that late-night diner on Cahuenga
grilled cheese and tomato soup
another beer, a quick one and it’s
two for one tonight.

I’m meeting them at Bootie
in a couple of hours
the best dance party on the west side
I don’t need to look glamorous or chic,
I just need to be there.

I take a sip of my drink
and curl my eyes at my companion for the night.
It doesn’t matter who it is,
he matters, of course, he’s a person
but lately, there are many persons
and no individuals.

So, he smiles and grabs my ass
on the way out the door
he’s dancing, too, and we meet up
with my friends made especially for these nights.
I don’t see them during the day,
never.
We’re not meant for that.

We meet in dark rooms,
music blaring,
mash ups of Rihanna and Deadmou5
Britney and Mariah
LCD and Hot Chip,
all meant to keep you moving,
keep me moving,
just so I don’t think for a moment.

That’s the freedom of having nothing,
the city fills me,
the sounds,
the sights,
the strobe lights in the dark rooms
the cigarette smoke and hard liquor
his hands running down my torso
to a beat drop,
everything feels so far away
and that’s the point.

The daylight doesn’t matter –
all that exists is this night.

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