Hard Water

I used the green side of the sponge,

the one that’s supposed to be safe for the finish,

but the calcium has already won.

The chrome is pitted with these tiny, sea-green stars.

Oxidation is just a slow way of saying

the metal is tired of being bright.

I leaned in to see the drain.

My face looked back from the curve of the spout,

all nose and wide, frightened eyes,

stretched out like a reflection in a glass bowl

that nobody is actually using.

I turned the handle just to break the image.

The water came out cold and smelled like pennies.