11:53, and it all went south

I remember the moment precisely

The night drained my glass, puffed out my chest

And returned an old smile

And then, a rom-com-by-numbers jukebox needle-drop

A classic banger we hadn't heard in years

It was all we needed

Raise up your dead, lay down your love

We'll cut right through this city

We are ungrown, we are reloved

Back in the day, I called him the Dreg Queen

I don't think he ever left single drink behind

And he wore the weather so well

He looked to me like he'd fallen straight from the folds of a dog-eared love letter

When he took my hands

Hold on to me, let go your love

Let's cut right through this city

We are ungrown, we are reloved

And the clocks can't stop us

Remember when, forget your faith

We'll dance right through this city

We'll sink so low, we'll rise above

"Tell her you'll be late", he said

"Tell her you need some Me Time"

"Tell her you feel obliged to cheer up your frowny-faced friend"

"Tell her it's a full moon, and you just need to howl"

"Tell her you need answers that only the night can give"

"Tell her you were bitten by a sparkling vampire who introduced you to an unseen, underground world of wonders, where the lights burn brighter, and music has hands that can heal."

8:46, and I was heading home

Parents took their children's hands as I approached

Strangers on buses gave silent applause

It was cold along the river, and the taxis wouldn't stop

I had no money anyway