Bathhouse

through a bathhouse window beautiful still

stood a statue always tranquil 

yet weathered by many winters

a fountain pouring cold water 

from a pipe into a cascade of bowls

while in hot water steaming up windows

so that she could not be seen I bathed

though I see her always at the portal

where my mind slips by her into new worlds

not seen through glass but with my inner eye

but in this moment lying here measuring time

by the slant of sunlight across the skylight

as sunset trending west comes earlier 

bleaching oiled strips that hold up the glass

showing by angle the reach of the sun

about a third of the cedar casing

lighter than the rest and understanding

why the bathhouse was built purposefully

facing north its two skylights catching the sun

Dick Russell (C) Richard M Russell

                          2024