the water divides //
my body into many parts-
some i like, some
i don't -
in between the stone-scrubbing,
i am confessing to the walls-
here's my unwanted cells, coarse hair,
the ugliest of my side, the words
i wanted to say but couldn't -
take it all, aLL, ALL // i peer at myself closely:
wrinkling flesh, scabs & purplish veins,
tiny freckles, dry lips & unpolished nails-
as foamy suds sag under the weight,
i recite verses of contrition
you are beautiful, it wasn't your fault,
don't be too harsh on yourSELF--
the tiles are silent, even the toilet
seat covers itself, not joining in the private chat-
unlike in the public bathroom, i
let everything out, ouT, oUT, OUT until --
there is nothing to drown into,
only a ritual of penance as I towel dry-
groomed & scaled into a page,
i step out &
write again--
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Hosted by Claudia, where we are writing bathroom poetry ~ How fun is this ~ Have a good weekend ~
picture credit: here
smiles..i can relate... mine in the hotel had a huge mirror and i was looking at me..the parts i like and those i don't like and in the end it's good if we come to that spot of cleanness with ourselves..much enjoyed your take grace
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent, Grace.
ReplyDeleteSounds like quite a bathroom ritual... these days showering is just a the quicker the better situation... :-) but I my wife take quite some time sometimes... (waiting)
ReplyDeletemmm...those first couple stanzas....honest and creative....the water dividing yourself....and the judgement we place on ourselves as well..the wanting to say take it all....lots of emotion in this one grace....i like...smiles
ReplyDeleteI just said to Mary that the powerful symbolism of the shower, of cleansing body and spirit is so appropriate for this prompt. Beautifully written, Grace.
ReplyDeleteyou are beautiful, it wasn't your fault,
ReplyDeletedon't be too harsh on yourSELF--
I really liked these lines and the symbolism everyone is mentioning.
"you are beautiful, it wasn't your fault,
ReplyDeletedon't be too harsh on yourSELF-- "
This is what is most important to focus on !!!
I especially liked the ending !! Great job on the prompt !!
'i recite verses of contrition' what a perfectly beautiful line in a thoughtful poem. really liked this - K
ReplyDeleteLove the line break b/t words & i wanted to say. This is one of your best, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI really like this poem, Grace. So much leaves in the water of the shower....and it is there that we see ourselves as we are, isn't it? And we are each beautiful in our own way and must always remember that!
ReplyDeleteThis one sings, soars, and delivers the goods, insuring that for all us, when /we step out & write again/.
ReplyDeleteThe piece is both beauteous & self deprecating, nude with implication, unabashed, unashamed--making each of us reinvent our bathroom rituals.
I like so much dear Grace always ehn Im in the shower I think a lot of things:))
ReplyDeleteI really found this creative...the bathroom through to the page where you step out and write again.
ReplyDeleteSo you can part water now? that is just wow lol
ReplyDeleteI love that--seeking forgiveness and that the toilet is closed off--drying off is penance--all's done and ready to write
ReplyDeleteThis is very easy to relate too - very well told as well - we all need to exfoliate a bit! Thanks. k.
ReplyDeleteGrace,
ReplyDeleteI feel the sadness within the lines..let the water cleanse be healed be whole..we all need to feel the water..drip into our souls.
Have a good night!
Wow! That is quite a journey, qhite a transformation! Glad it works so well! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou clear the fog from the glass with this piece, Grace, and let all eyes see.
ReplyDeleteBeen there done that... this mornng
ReplyDeletewow! this reads like a catharsis!!
DeleteOne can be cruel to oneself in the bath! Most neutral location not bothering any one. It's ok to let off steam there! Nicely Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
We can be our harshest critics! Had to smile at, "even the toilet
ReplyDeleteseat covers itself, not joining in the private chat-"
Loved this Grace!
..sometimes, i feel pity for the bathroom walls for i'm not sure whether he likes it or not to hear our hourly confessions... ah, i hate you (hihi).. if i had thought this notion about the bathroom walls i would have penned it in a poem... you are just cleverly good Grace.. aww.. smiles...
ReplyDeleteNow that was pretty cool Grace. I think I am going to have to shower more often see if at least I can get rid of some unnecessary hair and make the toilet cover itself from my falling out with the soapy water.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic piece. I can so relate. I especially love:
ReplyDelete"in between the stone-scrubbing,
i am confessing to the walls-"
it's not just about cleasning, yes, it's also about grooming
ReplyDeletehigh tech toilet power
Oh, I love it...we keep telling this to ourself often....the only reason I hate mirrors in the bathroom...you can't always love every bit of yours, and then staring at it is even worse
ReplyDeleteStrong narrative voice, and I say voice with with a capital V. Enjoyed so much about this piece.
ReplyDeleteWe really do judge ourselves too harshly in the bethroom reflections dno't we? All our flaws open and exposed. But maybe part of the problem is that we see flaws where there really aren't any...
ReplyDeletei as many can relate to this our self image and feeling never the same as others see us , i love this full of feeling
ReplyDeletegroomed & scaled into a page,
ReplyDeletei step out &
write again--
this is me, my self-editing, unwillingness to be completely naked on the page. enjoyed.
Enjoyed every words, I love that you will write again.
ReplyDeleteNothing like being in your 'all and all' in front of a bathroom mirror to reveal all the things you would rather not look at. Enjoyed.
ReplyDelete