---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Sprung from Grief” Down in the Dirt, v184 (the June 2021 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Lockdown’s Over the Down in the Dirt May-August 2021 issues collection book		get the 420 page May-August 2021 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Order this writing in the book Regarding Utopia the 2021 poetry, flash fiction, prose, & art collection anthology		get the 396 page poetry, flash fiction, prose, & artwork & photography collection anthology as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Bathing

Shi Yang Su

we should all clean our body like staggering crabs
hair intertwined with sallow weeds
ankle wrapped by red-violet mud
or a timid toe hobbled by sand cracked nail
wash them all with dark-green sewage
a wound left by a minor car accident
a bruise bitten by your gentle father
or a scar engraved by your patient teacher
wash them all in deep-blue saltwater
And scrub yourself in jiggly bubbles
let moisture burn your flattened breast
let abstinent fluid spur your wizened haunch
let bathroom light expose your sin of bareness
and sing a mournful ditty for your dying past
You might refuse and rebel
a body with traumas and memories should not
be washed like a dusty window of a broken car
You might deny and dispute
a flesh with stigma and strength should not
be cleaned like your gossipy neighbor’s stupid lawn
You might argue and attack
a soul with drafty core and shiny armor should not
be scrubbed like a humiliating brand on an aching arm
Yet
try to wash yourself, slowly and scrupulously
and feel the soft water fondling your flowery body
and feel the rosy shampoo kissing your tiny ribs
and feel the vivacious bubbles granting you human warmth
After all, please slightly open your musing mouth
and gather dropping dew from sunlit sprayer
a little pond in your mouth
a satisfied humming from your chest
After all, please gently wipe your freshly sewed up soul
and kiss your lovely body’
and stroke your supple bottom
and love your fading bruises
For all you need
a room with flowing water
and whisper your past to go

 

Bathing was previously published in Across the Margin.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...