To My Bath Tub
By Paul Chidyausiku
An hour in my bath tub
is what the doctor prescribed.
Every evening I slide into my tub,
Into water of measured temperature.
Relaxed, I lie on my back
All submerged except for my head.
My body and the water become one in warmth.
Like a hypnotist I conjure my mind and body
To relax and sleep.
My mind reaches as far back as it can
to select the things I like to remember;
Then I go forward to visualise the future;
And back to review the day’s work.
But on some days I put on reading glasses
And sleep in a play act just for the joy of it.
If it were for cleaning the body,
Would it be necessary every day?
Even if I were a diesel mechanic,
Would I need an hour in the tub?
It is a therapeutic treat
For the body and for the mind.
Would you like to give it a try?
Don’t get addicted to it as I am!