Neon Tigers

We are teenage girls with neon dreams

and five dollar jewelry.

Our lips glisten in wax and artificial fruit

as we wander the mall.

We catch ourselves in the mirrored store doors

and video feeds, while synth pop bands

broadcast hits from stacks of televisions.

We are teenage girls before cellphone umbilical cords

and social media cages.

We are free roaming tigers that stroll 

and stalk the food court and perfume counters.

We growl out conversations with gum snaps and hair twirls,

while we wear bright makeup streak armor

and coat our lips with sweet wax chapstick.

Our packs define us.

We are neon tigers.