perspective

logic tells me
it's a drinking
fountain

but percetion tells me
it's a urinal
tiny, ceramic, yellowed
it clings to the wall
in the library lobby.

i want to drink
but i am afraid
of what i might catch

what if someone sees me?
i scan my surroundings
there's no one.
that's a relief.

i bend myself forward
pull the lever
and prepare my lips
to drink
and lap up
the stale, tepid water.