THE RIVER BATH

Today we went down to the river to bathe

The water that was drawn is saved for cooking only

We arrived at the river with so many anxieties

City sleek kids about to commit a most foul act

Bathing in the river

How I wish I was home

In a bath or a shower

So spoilt for choice

There is no time for me to contemplate

Whether to bath or not to bath

We have no bathing water only cooking purposes

I felt strange, ackward and uncomfortable at the thought…

While others took a swim rather

My body knew better that it needed a good scrub

To cleanse it from the day’s working in the fields



I took it all off

Submerged my body in the cold water

I felt strange, weird and yet very liberated

No inhibitions

I am free

All one with nature

So in tune with my body was

the water trickling down my chest and spine

Cold yet tender on my skin

Clear as chrystal

Soothing to my skin

Then I realised I was not alone...