Bath time

“Can we take the time to put the pieces together?”

You’re baby face gentle again,
pulling the covers around us.
"Would you like to read a story?"
I love the touch of your hands.

Jaw and fists tensed too tight
for tenderness but you’re trying,
touching face, elbow, and nearly arm.

This is my apocalypse,
like turning to face the sun.
My baby sister, my reflection
Stripped bare and lost
in the middle of the bathroom.

I show you how to bathe.
“This is how the walls work honey.
It’s the 14th of February 2006
and you are petrified.”

You sit on the window sill shivering.
“What time frame are we in?”
We’re in Newport -
You’re with your family -
One of them is me.

Say my name
Please
Say my name.

Back in the bath together like children
you’re right,
I am you and you are me.
When you forget how to speak
I feel savage.