Bathtime
Carrie Sear
For my kindred spirit
white bathtub, underpants, matching bras
coloured concoctions in clear glass jars
and the Mother laughs
past the door with no lock.
what a way to cleanse a cluttered life
charcoal fingerpainting is underrated,
skin for canvas hotly debated, yet
we make carving initials into trees
anti-kitsch, un-cringe.
when the long-cold water drains away
it takes hostage secrets and crud and hair dye
leaves us our bellies and spots, towels nearby.
all the watermelon gummies in the world
could not provide a mellow joy like this.