Dragon Brain Perfume

Dragon Brain Perfume

My room faced the street, rather than the Mekong.

Autos and scooters woke me from a rượu đế hangover.

Mosquitos outnumbered the laughing gecko

Perched above the headboard, rendering him useless.

Room service never arrived with my breakfast

Pastry and demitasse, so I shuffled across the dark,

Colonial floors to the bathroom, covered my body in

Lemongrass oil and got dressed.

I left my third floor room at the Victoria and

Descended the stairs to the lobby, but not before

Noticing a crowd gathered around the pool,

Staring into the emerald green water depths.

Sprouting up from the pool floor, a tree 

Emitting a scent reminiscent of anesthetic.

So many phones held overhead to capture it on

Camera, but the cameras were forever dark.