In the Bath

Cherry

By Jane Hyphen

Mon, 12 Feb 2024
  • 1817 reads
22 comments
 

 

I’m always in the bath.

Preferring my reflection

all distorted on the taps.

Preferring the wet water

to the droughty winter air.

I’m friendly with the boiler,

I see eye to eye with the toilet.

And the buffer of the bubbles

form a temporary blockade

to the many many troubles

associated with being anywhere

beyond the refuge of the bath.

I wake up tired, go to bed confused.

I’m only really safe from the world

when almost fully submerged.

As long as the water is hot,

as long as the door is locked.

Nobody knows how I languish,

smiling, topping up the heat,

contemplating my navel,

talking freely to my feet,

having an idea, maybe two.

Anything is possible

from the launchpad of the bath.

Or I just cast myself adrift, 

meditate upon the rhythm of a drip.

This endeavour is legitimate.

I cannot be disturbed.

It’s sacred, this abluting,

I’m off grid, I’m in the bath.

 

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

With you all the way in this Jane - could not be without a bath in my bathroom!

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you for the cherries. I agree, Insert, there's something about a bath which centres you.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Evocative. Reminds of 'Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits' which my mother was fond of quoting. Those without baths must find another haven for just stopping off gird if only for a few moments, like sleep. Clear the mind, before taking up the necessary thinking again. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Rhiannon, I really like that phrase too. I've always needed a lot of thinking time and used to get told off at school for 'daydreaming', told off for thinking maybe. The necessary thinking can be a bore. Thank you for reading. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Great poem Jane. You wouldn't believe how much I miss a bath. We had ours taken out  and a shower cubicle put in when I had my hip done. Now I just dream of one day soaking in a bath with some radox...I do love my showers though.wink

Definitely a refreshing read.

Jenny.

 

 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Jenny. It's during the colder months that a bath is great for warming up and relaxing. I agree that a shower is great too, especially when you're hot and sweaty. We're so lucky to have clean, running, heated water.

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

This poem was perfect for those of us who miss a bath. We swapped our bath for a shower years ago, and now have another one downstairs, so no luxury of a nice soapy bath - nice one Jane.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Yes, lots of people got rid off their baths for a shower. I remember when nodoby had a shower in their house, and the first one my parents had was a pathetic thing with very low pressure. How times change. Thank you for reading Dougie, I really appreciate your feedback.

 

Submitted by celticman on

two ideas are good. maybe the bath gives them feet. shouldn't wonder where they'd find a seat. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Ha, the ideas have gills, unfortunately, as soon as I get out they suffocate. 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Loved this one, and completely agree with you! (Though I wish I saw eye to eye with our boiler, however it is well aware who is boss, and it's not the humans) Now I imagine you brewing up ideas for Parcel for You cocooned in the steam. If the kitchen is the heart of a home, the bathroom must be where the brain is :0)

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

I try to keep the boiler on side, Di, I flatter it with compliments. My mum has one of those ancient boilers which never breaks, although she's been told it will be condemned. The bathroom is where the brain is, I like that idea. I leave it there in the morning, replacing it with a bathbomb which gently fizzes throughout the day, interferring with clear thinking, and am re-united with it at bathtime. 

Thank you for reading x

 

Submitted by blighters rock on

You can't beat a bath. It's by far my most welcome and invigorating ritual. I can't do with sitting in it for too long as I get bored very easily once I've shaved and washed everything but it's surprising how many ideas arrive from that warm place. Never a pen handy but a good idea usually lasts long enough to jot the thing down. No pathos in the bathos and warming to read the antics of a fellow bather 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

No pathos in the bathos indeed. It is a (relatively) cheap and enjoyable way to spend an hour. A pen and paper would come in useful next to the bath actually. Thank you for reading.smiley

 

Submitted by Kris on

Bath guy all the wayyes... zone out... fully equipped w/ bubbles, bath salt, candles, got a rubber duck I found over 20yrs ago, surround sound chill music, cool glass of wine & a bath poem to read wink

To Cool Jane... you have a way of taking some of the most simple therapeutic necessities and poetically crafting a circle of escape moments... in water... in space.. & .. time*     

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Kris. Those rubber ducks last forever, long after we've gone. Apparently there are shops in Holland that sell hundreds of different rubber ducks?! Therapeutic necessaties, I need more of those.smiley

 

Submitted by Kris on

So Funny Jane......I found mine on a beach covered in oil sludge.... you're right*.. they last for-ever... its like I cant loose it or its some how is bonded to me.... Once I got searched at an airport, it was in my carry on, the security lady looked at me and said "Oh really"blush.... an ufff moment... If theres a vast selection in Holland, I'll check it out, Thx 4 the Tip yes

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

You rescued it and gave it a better life. Thank you for reading, Kris.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Off the grid in the bath-- what a lovely idea---I envy you having a bath - I too have gone the way of the shower but I can remember the oveflowing bubble baths of my youth and off the grid! Soaking in a warm bath is a great place to imagine...smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

It is a great place to imagine, Penny. I could probably do without it, showers are better for feeling clean but I'd need a new off grid location.Thank you you comment.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Brilliant, Jane. :)

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you smiley