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
