Poetry Bus gets a Soaking (For Monday November 8th)

Jessica Maybury of A Perfect Fourth has given us the challenge for Monday, November 8. She says:

"Years ago my friend S bought me a book to read in the bath. It was waterproof and contained stories or poems about bathing or water or swimming pools etc etc. So that's my challenge; allow me now to compile a collection of poetry about bathing. Or the sea. Or swimming pools. Or the layout of your bathroom. I want senses and unwound feelings inside."

So there it is. I'm on the bus early. Within moments of reading Jessica's request I recalled an interesting bathing experience from my childhood:

Summer Bath


In the coolness of the basement
utilitarian in it's time -
next to the coal bin scattered
with crunchy black crumbs -
near the washing machine
with the wringer I
had learned the hard way
not to put my fingers in -
around the corner
from the summer stove
that kept heat out of the kitchen -
just feet below laughing young parents
slapping euchre cards against an
oilcloth table cover -
sat cousin Grace and I
ages three
maybe four
soaking like last week's linens
up to our necks in
tepid water
on either side of the double laundry tub
comparing raisiny fingertips
testing the gritty texture of the Fels Naptha bar
and discussing just what might happen
if we poured some bluing in the water


Cynthia Ann Conciatu

For more Poetry Bus Bathing go HERE!