it was one of those flickering bulbs,

the kind that can't decide to stay on or off

just dancing on the border of light,

jumping through the darkness.

her hand lingered on the switch,

poised to

kill and cut and rip.

and then it was unconscious,

body disposed of,

mind clean and unused--

florescent.

and then on.

brilliant, clear, peroxide in her mouth.

for six months it glowed

and she smiled.

flip.click.

and then off.

now came the heaviness,

dull and slithering, liquid gravel.

the thickness forced itself into her mouth and up her nose

sealing in the still air.

and the point would move

back and forth.

her side's pink stripes

lightened her body at a distance,

flickering neon in the night

-- the remnants of the light

that had gone to hide

with all of the other illnesses.