In My Mother's Tub

plugged in
the plastic radio I bought at last week's yard sale
and peeled my robe from sticky skin
as Meshell Ndegeocello's
growls begin to drip from the speakers

cut to

the double
indentations
on the bridge of my nose
from the glasses
i wear
on work days

today was especially long

cut to

However bitter against
raised tastebuds
coconut sure smells sweet
on steamed skin

cut to

me squeezing more
onto this tattered
wash cloth

cut to

my head dropped back on
cold ceramic
as my body sinks lower
into sudsy lava

nipples and kneecaps
all that
peak
above the surface

cut to

a thought of you.

and i touch myself
in my mother's tub