The Bath

I slipping into the hot, fragrant waters,
Releasing a resounding "Aaahhh..."
As my muscles tense, and then loosen,
Relaxing and - for once - remaining so.
I sink down to the bottom, where my body
Is cradled in the porcelain base
Like a mother cradles a baby
Who is asleep... At last!
The candles I brought home
Have been lit in clusters around the room,
And in the low lighting,
They glow cream and golden-yellow
Like little lanterns in the night sky,
And give off a thick, hazy smell
Of 'Mediterranean Verbena'
And 'Orange & Lemon',
Which is refreshing, yet calming.
Slipping my head slowly under the water,
I am submerged from everything.
Under the water I have no job,
No taxes to pay,
No noisy neighbours playing music at 2am.
My hair ripples perfectly like a mermaids
And I can't see my stretch marks.
The scented bath water cleanses my body and
Takes away all the stress of the day
Soothing my tired body

After the warmth has begun to fade,
And I emerge from the water in a soft towel,
Clean and fresh,
And smelling as sweet as anything,
I am a new woman.
A new woman: bathed