radiance

she purred like an engine as the door clicked closed behind her.

in measured steps, with swooning hips, she entered the light. fixed her eyes on the place in the glare she imagined he'd be.

beyond the light was darkness swallowing sound. the occasional growl of distant cars cutting through the cicadas and rustling trees. the tingle in her spine was impossible to identify as fear or excitement or both. with a gulp of air she began.

fabric peeled like soft fruit. delicately lest flesh be bruised below. layers discarded on dirt. swaying her body in time to a unidentified tune she hummed to herself.

her body awash in light, a lone figure in the landscape. a slow steady ritual of vunerability. she practiced courage with every breath.