Poetry Friday: Relaxing in the tub with Amy Lowell
June 6th, 2008 by eisha
Whoa, hey… Now there’s an image I didn’t really mean to invoke…
Yeah, it’s me. I’m still here. I didn’t actually intend to take a blog break along with Jules – but with one thing and another, it kind of worked out that way. Sorry, y’all.
But let me tell you something: SUMMER has finally come to Ithaca. The husband and I just got our little air conditioner stuck in the window, and not a minute too soon – they’re predicting temps in the 90s tomorrow. We get thunderstorms about every other day, everything’s green, most of the flowers are gone, and those fuzzy black-and-yellow caterpillars are EVERYWHERE. Seriously, looking too closely at the trunk of any given tree is like watching a sci-fi movie. I made the mistake of cutting across the grass in my flip-flops, and got a caterpillar sandwich between my foot and shoe. Aside from that ickiness, though, it’s pretty glorious. Makes me want to take things a bit more slowly, savor the new warmth, soak in the green…
So here’s an excerpt from a poem that celebrates taking it easy, indulging in a little me-time, just lazing around watching ripples in the bathwater… “Bath” by Amy Lowell:
Little spots of sunshine lie on the surface of the water and dance, dance, and their reflections wobble deliciously over the ceiling; a stir of my finger sets them whirring, reeling. I move a foot and the planes of light in the water jar. I lie back and laugh, and let the green-white water, the sun-flawed beryl water, flow over me.
Click here to read the whole poem – it’s got lovely bits of imagery, so you’ll want to savor it slowly. Then, in homage to Robin Brande and her erstwhile Friday List, do something nice for yourself today. Take a bubble bath, buy that perfect black cardigan you’ve had your eye on, go for a walk in the sunshine… or the rain… or the caterpillars. It’s summer, people! Relax. Enjoy it.
We’ll see you all again on Sunday.
Sarah Reinhard is on round-up duty today. When you feel like it, you know, just mosey on over there and see what other poetry fans are posting today. No rush. Whenever.
This is so lovely! Thanks for offering up a relaxin’ be-good-to-yourself poem. I needed this!
Love those beautiful, relaxing images. Have a great weekend!
That is lovely! And here I had this busy day planned and now I tempted to just go swirl water in the bath and read a great book ….
I’m a shower girl, but this is perfect for lazy summer. I could fall asleep…
Hey, I want some summer! We didn’t even hit 60 yesterday – although I suppose the cool weather is good for baths.
jess, I’d share a few degrees if I could – we’re pretty swampy today.
Sara, really? Not even an occasional bubble bath?
Karen, that is an EXCELLENT plan. Go with it.
Jama, you have a lovely weekend too.
Vivian, I bet taking a little me-time is pretty hard to do when you have 3 kids, write, and blog. But you totally deserve it.
Ahhh… a poem that practically begs the reader to relax, take it easy… I love it!
Eisha, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m impatient for the tub to fill up. Now, if I had someone to draw me a bath each day…
Eisha, We had spectacular thunder storms last night, and it’s over 90 degrees here even as I type. It’s heavenly, although I think I might skip the hot bath and black cardigan in favor of ice cream. Just today, though. 🙂
That’s heavenly…and just what I wanted to read right now after watching four wee children at once for three hours. Calgon. Calgon. How do day care people do it?
This is exactly what I need! I’m making blueberry muffins right now. And a bubble bath later! Yeah!