Day Bath

[mrs_khan07]

by Debra Spencer

Last night I walked him back and forth,

his small head heavy against my chest,

round eyes watching me in the dark,

his body a sandbag in my arms.

I longed for sleep but couldn't bear his crying

so bore him back and forth until the sun rose

and he slept. Now the doors are open,

noon sunlight coming in,

and I can see fuchsias opening.

Now we bathe. I hold him, the soap

makes our skin glide past each other.

I lay him wet on my thighs, his head on my knees,

his feet dancing against my chest,

and I rinse him, pouring water

from my cupped hand.

No matter how I feel, he's the same,

eyes expectant, mouth ready,

with his fat legs and arms,

his belly, his small solid back.

Last night I wanted nothing more

than to get him out of my arms.

Today he fits neatly

along the hollow my thighs make,

and with his fragrant skin against mine

I feel brash, like a sunflower.

One of my favorite poems. I'm pretty sure my son cried for about 3 months straight at some point in his infancy. The memory is pretty vague because I think I was losing my mind. : )