William Manchee

Novelist

HOT SHOWER

In the morning when I’m stiff and groggy

And my body struggles with the new day

There’s nothing better than a hot shower

To wash the haze and laziness away

*
Hot steam rising, floating, drifting

Dreams fleeing, dying, clearing

Beads of water soaking, stroking, pounding

Tensions melting, calming, easing

*
Eyes closed, I relish every drop of steamy fluid

Water flowing, dripping, drowning my skin

Feelings of freedom, exhilaration and utter delight

And all this pleasure without an ounce of sin

*

I linger, wishing these feelings to last forever

Mind wandering to memories of friendly faces

Across mountains, through valleys and across the seas

Soap sliding, gliding, caressing all the right places

*
Ideas conceived, problems solved, plots developed

So many dreams, hopes and ambitions raised

And nurtured in this tiny room of liquid enchantment

Another simple joy, the Lord be praised!

*

Eyes open, water off, I stand a new man, refreshed

Gone regrets, sad memories, ill will, guilt and remorse

All safely tucked far in the recesses of my subconscious

I step into the new day, a strong and vigorous force