One Night's Ransom

One night of your life,
What is it worth?
One night of your life
When you venture forth
Into the darkness,
Into the night, incandescent
With neon and spite?

What is the cost?
What will you pay?
If it's your soul,
Will you give it away?

In search of redemption,
Flee through the gloom
And seek out the price
Of avoiding your doom.
Scan every face through
Gathering dusk; will you find more
Than vacant-eyed husks?

What is it worth?
What will you give?
Can you afford
What is needed to live?

Your life for one night:
No counting cost;
Your soul at white heat:
Indiscriminate, lost.
Undying anguish,
No ease in sight; do you believe
You can ransom the night?

One night's ransom:
What will you pay?
Your soul's not enough,
Though you give it away.