the smell of sewers emanating down the hallway to the pool

mixes with warm chlorinated water

a see through barrier the only defense against this oppressive odor

i can only imagine the horror of stepping out from the elevator

to find

to be hit with

cabbage-y smells that stimulate retching

and meanwhile

sedentary watching

barricaded by tropical scented lotions

and peace candles

the unsightliness somehow vanishes

as if never there

in its place the familiar mechanic scent of whirring

all is still and seemingly sanitary