The night strips everything honest no daylight, no distance, no disguise. Just breath, tension, and the way wanting can make silence feel alive. I feel you before your hands reach me, like heat rising off a hidden flame. Slow, dangerous, patient the kind of fire that doesn’t beg, just waits to be fed. But passion ain’t only skin. It’s ache. It’s memory. It’s loneliness finally finding something warm enough to hold. So come closer, and don’t just want me lightly. Want me true. Like the dark was made for this kind of hunger and this kind of confession. By Jason Strickland

Write a short poem about a secret craving or imagined moment.

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A casino full of patrons awaiting the show Couples having a drink taking in the sights Lights go low, stage lights up as an angel Comes down from the sky in her angelic wings Singing a solo, her voice hits each note beautifully Music joins in, suddenly the lights pop up The stage comes to life. Ladies appear Fancy headdress, tassels and strings cling As the music plays, each act played out New song new seen, each a little more daring Dancing across the stage. Beat changes so Does the song. Men dressed in white trousers Suspenders, coats opened exposing their chest Each come behind a lady now dressed in white short skirts, thigh high stockings. Sailor caps and mini white coats opened exposing their white and blue tassels. Dancing moves bumping, grinding, sensual moves Just enough to make your imagination go free Women with white boas pulling their man to them Men coming to fill their woman’s desires The dance continues heated by sexual moves Careful you will find yourself caught up In the teasing of the Burlesque show. CDK 03-05-2026

Every great poem starts with a line… but tonight you get to twist it your way. Here’s the starting line: “The night whispered something I wasn’t ready to hear…” Your challenge: Write 1–4 lines continuing this thought in your own voice. Dark. Romantic. Mysterious. Hopeful. Take it anywhere you want. Let’s see how many different directions this line can travel.