Hopeful at Powell's

Wrecking!


THE REST OF IT GOES HERE

I was looking for a book called "The Pathology of Civilization."
Daydreamed in the aisles a while, figuring I'd run into it.
The employees' faces seeemed as stupid as the customers'.
Asking for help had never seemed more absurd.
So I tried some educated guesses which didn't work,
Cursed myself for being stubborn and wasting time.
I could be home by now, scribbling words, getting off, getting drunk,
But damnit, I wanted to find my nihilistic birthday gift myself.
Of course, I finally gave up and glanced at the information desk.
The young girl there was reading a biography on John Adams.
She didn't look too dumb.
She wore glasses.
I was hopeful.
Maybe she was single.
I straightened my posture, smiled, walked up
And stood directly in front of her,
Ready to ask my question in a confident, sober voice.
She yawned and turned a page.
I walked away.