Going Out

It does not have to be dark
but this will be helpful, 
so imagine it dark, 
some basement or warehouse, 
even out under the night sky

It does not have to be packed
and one can dance with abandon 
alone, but it’s best with 
company, strangers optimal, 
fellow humans brought
together by the universe,
in harmony, kindred 
spirits in kinetic motion

For optimal release, add 
lights, a disco ball, 
a fog machine does 
bring something 
atmospheric but 
is not strictly necessary, 
even your friend’s
dim living room
and the half-light 
from the kitchen 
can suffice,

Mostly: music that is loud 
enough, bpms or bangers, 
you should feel it 
in you, you should be able
to close your eyes and 
go inward, in fact having 
a side room can be helpful, 
somewhere to spin off to

A drink, if desired, 
water, if needed, 
earplugs, supportive shoes,
key is simply to be there, 
to stay longer than intended,
to sweat, to put your
bag down, to 
put your head back: 
people have been lost
this way, but also, 
getting lost, they
have been found

Nora Rawn works in subrights in publishing and lives in Brooklyn. She has pieces published or forthcoming in Dodo Eraser, Dreck Lit, Be About It Press, Hawkeye, Burial Magazine, Some Words, and Michigan City Review of Books among others.