The Bath

—after Bonnard’s Nude in Bathtub, oil on canvas, c. 1940-1946
 
I remember its milky curvy bulk 
perched on dainty claw feet 
watery blue bathroom tiles 
the rush and crash 
of water from the taps I remember 
 
the long brown whip of him
Roger stretched across the green 
and yellow rug the damp air 
steamed-up mirror she looked 
over her white shoulder she 
looked again I remember her
 
pruney fingertips tapping the tooth-
colored tub the chipped
and yellowing tub the squeal 
of the old metal taps I don’t
remember how we got there only
how slowly Rosie finger-combed 
the dark hair behind my ears.

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