I smelled something without trying today

It was loud like a cartoon finger made of steam waving to *come this way*

This happens maybe twice a month,

if I’m lucky, which isn’t a cause for concern, because, as my doctor says, I’ve just had terrible allergies

for at least a decade.

Whenever I try to smell something I exhale for at least 3 seconds before trying.

I breathe in whatever way I think allows me another chance at being able to describe it

like I’m surrounded by friends

taking bites of different cheese.

Someone ordered fish and chips

two seats away from me at the bar.

It was beautiful and underwhelming and

opened up a new layer of the room like a longsleeve slipped under an agreeable t-shirt.