The Quest

I find a public restroom

the scent

so powerful

it must be

on purpose somehow,

like those bakeries

that pump sugary air

to attract customers,

urine-scented ammonia

to advertise a piss station.

The air

invading my nostrils

makes my job easier.

After

my pilgrimage to the glass.

I lean over a sink of ashes

gaze through a blur of tears

into wide brown eyes.

I lock onto my reflection.

Stand entranced as

bile

delicately

drips

from my

fingertips.

I stare deeper

into my

watery eyes,

red from my retching

bringing out the green,

they are

empty.

Where’d I go?

stop searching.

give up.

What made you

ever think

you could be special anyway?