*drip drip drip*
whenever it started, she couldn’t quite tell at first
how long before it would truly quench her thirst
and when she felt it, when she really could feel
the silk of aqua that draped her
down to her heels
she embraced it and hugged herself so tight
hoping it would wash away,
hoping it would erase any trace of
her sins, her suffering and her plight
no, not this, let’s try something different
she turned and fumbled
till she found that red dial
cranking it up a notch or two
waiting a moment, or maybe a while
and so it happened, the steam filled her nose
the red on the dial
now matching the shades of her toes
she emerged from the curtains
and took centre stage
in front of the mirror
that captured her beauty
but concealed her rage
where is the answer? where could it be?
will the steam settle and reveal it to me?
waiting a moment, or perhaps longer still
and then, it appeared
a clue, was it? yes! she squealed
excited she’d finally found it
in all its flawed perfection
until
it dissolved away
the glimpse was gone
the answer she was left with
only vaguely resembled her reflection.
