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The Bath

She is so tired - almost lethargic

Drugged by wet heat and sweet oil.

If she succumbs, sinks down deep

Into scented foam, will her nerves react

As water slips up her nose?

Does she have a safety system to shock her awake?

Smoke sifts insidiously into the lungs.

Would water?

 

She is afraid – she – who spears cold surf

Slicing into elemental thrust laughing.

She fears this warm seductive womb.

Slowly she closes the curtain of plastic swans

Swimming endlessly through golden lily pads.

An old refrain wavers into her mind:

‘Now I lay me down to sleep … I lay me… down…’

Upon the unsubstantial pillow –  ‘and sleep.’

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas

 

 

52 hertz

◄ The Candy Train

Message to Isobel ►

Comments

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Richard

Fri 5th Jul 2013 10:54

Hi I like this poem very much, I would love you to read my poem called Padlock and see if it strikes you in anyway when compared to your poem its on my blog )

Regards

<Deleted User> (8043)

Sun 23rd Jun 2013 22:11

Love this line:

'Smoke sifts insidiously into the lungs.'

:D

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garside

Wed 19th Jun 2013 12:30

Slicing into elemental thrust laughing.

is a beautiful line x

enjoyed this poem very much

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Marianne Louise Daniels

Wed 19th Jun 2013 11:38

This is incredibly beautiful, x

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Dave Bradley

Fri 14th Jun 2013 14:33

This is evocative. It teases the mind of the reader by vividly creating a strong dream-state-like mood and then leaving open what is going on. Swimming endlessly through golden lily pads is especially intriguing.

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Wed 12th Jun 2013 20:30

Stark reality can strike if wooing danger takes a vicious twist, however innocent the intent. Somebody asked me if 'she' was deliberately committing suicide. I don't know. But the line about the 'nose' was meant to jolt.

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Francine

Tue 11th Jun 2013 21:46

Hi Cynthia - Great to see you posting!

Yes, you do create the mood here.
And as Isobel stated, that line jolted me as well - I think you can keep that same effect though by saying it in a different and more subtle way.

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Joshua Van-Cook

Tue 11th Jun 2013 18:31

This is elegant, beautiful and, to an extent, terrifying. A powerful piece, I really like this.

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Isobel

Tue 11th Jun 2013 15:21

I'm not surprised you're fatigued with all those festivals, Laura!

I can't see why the idea of a bath would be disrespectful - I love the way you have framed it as the place one might allow oneself to slip away - to just throw in the towel, if you'll pardon the pun.

I like the way you've compared it to a warm womb - the circle of life making its full turn - and I like the heaviness I feel in my senses - something you've communicated to me through your words.

If you don't mind me critiquing, I'd probably change the water up nose line - I think there might be a more subtle way of saying that.

I'm delighted you're taking part Cynthia - this a great contribution and I love your interpretation. x

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Laura Taylor

Tue 11th Jun 2013 14:18

Love this - incredibly atmospheric, beautifully phrased. I think I may be identifying with it more closely than I would otherwise though, cos have been going through patches of what can only be called 'fatigue', lately.

'Drugged by wet heat and sweet oil' mmMM

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Tue 11th Jun 2013 13:15

I hope the idea of 'a bath' is not disrespectful. I find the very element of 'water' thought provoking, considering so much of 'us' is just that.

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