At last comes the close
of a dusty hollow day
and my wilted self
craves the chance to forget
(to murder the past and put her
into her infinite grave)
to kindle a hope
For something else. .

Welcome, welcome
ablution by
scorching water,
sharpest
clearest
purest drops-
the rush
Drizzles
And says
“shhhhhh,”
Blisters my face
And spine

I
Scrub away
The dirt and sweat
And
City evil

Syrupy grime
pools
Around my ankles.
Toes are pink sausages-
Feet and legs
are raw,
Awash in
Humanity’s
Excretions.

Eyeing
The rusty
Sauce
Reveals
A
Massive
And distorted
Self:
bulbous and terrified.

The hazy slop
Whips
In conical
Motions,
Rotates around
Where
The reflection of a
Discolored abdomen
Should be.

Coffee tainted
beetle juice
Is
Swallowed
By the
Spokes and shadow
Until
The brown
V
All but disappears
With a suck.

Spicy
Body water
And the mystic smell of
Sweet soap
Remains.

What will
This pool reflect?

Fear grips by the
Throat
But look!
A truer, smaller self
Glistens,
Still distorted.