An Indulgent Interlude

Inspired by a soak in a bath scented with Rose Otto, the queen of the flower oils, a truly sumptuous soak!

Tentative toe tests the water

rippling its fine filmy sheen

sink into warm wet cocoon

slipping, sliding body gliding

licking my shoulders as I succumb

to its strawberry blonde embrace

 

My fingers idly swirl the surface

releasing redolent vapour

thready streak of coiling steam

wafting wisp of  heady mist

blooming buds of revered rose

stem from this watery bed

 

Ethereal vines of rosy haze

clinging tendrils climb the walls

creeping, sweeping blossoming boughs

trailing plumes of fragrant fumes

dripping drops of pungent dew

as they nod and bob their heads

 

I wallow in pinky tint lagoon

bathed in vague reflection

fleeting thoughts cast adrift

coast on aromatic notes

petals falling through my mind

contemplative confetti

 

As the warmth dissipates

and the roses diminish

I resign my royal reverie

the tap drizzles sighs as I open my eyes

reluctant return to reality

in my skin of fresh pressed flowers

Reviews

[Antonio Valentino]

Okay I'll take a gross of those rose oils!
My skin's been getting a little thristy lately too.
April, I never knew a bath could be so... uh, luxurious.
Now I gotta go find my Mr. Bubbles, me and Ducky have
some bathing to do.

Seriously though, this was really amazing!
I would normally say I could picture myself in your words, but, in this one, I better leave that one to the imagination.

Beautiful!
Antonio

[Trée]

Absolutely gorgeous rendering of a dream in hues rose and pink and lavender, of waters divine and sultry, purifying the soul of worry and cleansing the body of want. Wonderfully executed, the stanzas as steam, rising and falling as the breath on a lazy afternoon.

[Lily1111]

From the very first line "Tentative toe tests the water", this poem rich with sensory descriptions draws the reader into the moment. This poem is so lucious with its imagery that you could imagine the rose oil morphing into beautiful rose blossoms that surround the bathtub. I could almost smell its delicate scent this was so well written!

[Michael]

Being more the rugged individualist type, I can honestly tell you I have never soaked in a bath but you do make is sound nice. One of poetry's great powers is to expand the emotions for simple pleasures. This poem is a wonderful example of that.

Great job!

You must be either from the UK or a Commonwealth based on your spelling.

[CharlieO]

This is a delightful poem - I am all wrapped up in the moment it has created - so well written.
I just want to go and relax in my own bath now. I loved your diction throughout this poem - all those soft s sounds combined with w's and b's - just divine. Those sounds added to the calm surronding the poem. For me the opening stanza makes some of the best use of these sounds:
slipping, sliding body gliding
icking my shoulders as I succumb
to its strawberry blonde embrace
just gorgeous. I also liked the effect the ing sounds had in this section.
I enjoyed your use of internal rhyme also - again it contributed to the overall feel of the poem. The level of detail is also captivating, like you gingerly getting in and running your fingers in the water - it felt as though I was there as well.
Congrats on this wonderful write.

[Tomás Ó C..]

Loved the poem...

[PianoandPage]

"contemplative confetti"

this poem is perfect. it is going straight into my favorites. you take one of lifes simple pleasures and step by step you draw us in to the sensations, images, and luxuries of a good aromatic soak.

wow. april i am so happy that i read this. you made my night.

and of course all of the wonderful alliteration has me dancing on the inside.

[SPINNING ON that dizzy ..]

Ahhhh relaxing and I can almost smell the steamy air. What a lovely invite into a tub - sliding down and soaking away every care in the world! Just lovely.

Kath

[Morgan Caffarello]

lustfully enchanting... very awesome

[Jane Doe]

Beautiful! It makes me want to take a nice hot bath! Great writing.

[closed account]

you painted a very aromatic calming picture.. I feel like taking a bath now! this was peaceful and beautiful!!