we stare at the television screen like fire as the five

eyed monster eats the rat girl in one loud crunch.

to my right he laughs, face stretched, eyes shut. to

my left she flinches like she can feel the teeth, like

she's in the monster's mouth. in the dark of the

room, her bed sits unmade, proof of us, proof that

this is not a dream. in the dark, we burn white,

we buzz like neon signs. in the dark, we can laugh

at the monster, and that is enough.