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Open Poetry #9
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Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263


0 posted 2000-08-22 11:16 PM



Her Bath



She fills her evenings sparingly
late moments by the fire
with words and broadcast symphonies
not much does she require

But nights when rolling storms begin
and sleep will not arrive  
She draws a fragrant, steaming bath,  
her senses to revive

And dreaming thus while still awake
she thinks on other times
As water whirls about her form
sad thoughts steep in her mind

She ponders on the verse of one
whose gentle words beseech
"A heart that will not open
is so difficult to reach"

And yes, she thinks, while bubbles brew
into a warming foam
What cause have I to contemplate
a life to live alone?

With years ahead, and few behind
I am not growing old
And time I spend within myself
without a heart to hold

Is leaving such a lingering
in thought and memory
What shall my forward nights become
if trust cannot be free?

Her bath begins in earnest then
with long and soaking sighs
And as the storm begins to wane
and calm creeps to her eyes

Her toweling finds a drowsy form
but cleansed is she of doubt
And as her softness slips into
the gown that she'd set out

Her thoughts are those of weary hope
and storm's refreshing peace
And hearts that freely find their way
... as sleep bids her release




© Copyright 2000 Meadowmuse - All Rights Reserved
HelmutB
Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 964
Canada
1 posted 2000-08-22 11:25 PM


Beautiful

The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.


ladysixstring
Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 374

2 posted 2000-08-22 11:27 PM


I've always been a shower person... but this if beautiful!!!

-jaimie

Website: www.ladysixstring.com

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

3 posted 2000-08-22 11:29 PM


Absolutely beautiful, Claire!

Denise

juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
4 posted 2000-08-22 11:37 PM


This is so lovely. Makes me long for a nice relaxing bath too.
Juls

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
5 posted 2000-08-22 11:44 PM


Oh Claire......you've hit it again!! This is outstanding!!!
Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments
6 posted 2000-08-23 12:03 PM


Such soft beauty....magnificent Claire!  

*Krista Knutson*

"You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back."
-Barbara DeAngelis

Auguste
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
7 posted 2000-08-23 02:56 AM


Claire,

In my opinion, this is truly one of your most beautiful poems.  I love it through and through.  And you know what?  I'm glad we're such close friends  

Be sweet!

Michael





Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
8 posted 2000-08-23 02:59 AM


Very sweet read.  I dont go in for the baths myself....but you got me thinkin.  Beautiful piece for sure.
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
9 posted 2000-08-23 05:21 AM


"A heart that will not open
is so difficult to reach"
..
..
Her bath begins in earnest then
with long and soaking sighs
And as the storm begins to wane
and calm creeps to her eyes

Her toweling finds a drowsy form
but cleansed is she of doubt
And as her softness slips into
the gown that she'd set out

Her thoughts are those of weary hope
and storm's refreshing peace
And hearts that freely find their way
... as sleep bids her release
.....

What a brilliant piece of work this is Claire, not that I expected any less from you... still this one is full of well-crafted, beautifully penned images and wisdom...

regards,
sudhir

poutprincess
Senior Member
since 2000-07-06
Posts 735
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
10 posted 2000-08-23 05:49 AM


i agree with all the above! such a beautiful, calming poem....very much enjoyed!
~Dawn

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

11 posted 2000-08-23 08:30 AM


Helmut, thank you... L and SP, dear one.

ladysixstring, thank you for reading. Try a bath every now and again, with lots of time for thought.

Denise, as always, your words bring a smile...thank you!

Juliet, for your "lovely" response, I thank you. I do some of my best thinking submerged.

Krista, thank you, dear. I think I saw a new poem of yours yesterday that I haven't gotten to read yet...going to look for it next.  

Michael, I thank you for your friendly words, but you can forget it ~ I'm not sharing my bath with you.    (((you)))

Mark, "thinking" is a good thing, yes? Many thanks for your thoughtful remarks.

Sudhir, your response is so kind, and I thank you, in earnest, for reading and taking time to let me know that you enjoyed this.

poutprincess, I appreciate your thoughts about this piece...thank you!

~ Claire



Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Parker
Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
12 posted 2000-08-23 12:56 PM


Claire, this was a lovely and beautiful piece, it too is one of my fav's from you.

Also I like to thank you for sharing your bath with me, I really enjoyed it....  

Parker

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
13 posted 2000-08-23 02:43 PM


Silky softness...Claire do you need someone to scrub your back...gently...James
Dee
Member Elite
since 2000-08-19
Posts 2330
Queensland, Australia
14 posted 2000-08-23 04:22 PM


Claire, I really enjoyed this. Maybe I'll spend a bit more time soaking. Does it help with the creative flow too?
Dee

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
15 posted 2000-08-23 05:45 PM


Claire--Your words always give me such warm pleasure, it is almost like a bath...thanks for such poet-ease.
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
16 posted 2000-08-23 05:51 PM


Is there room in the bath for two..LOL..sorry the poem just made it sound so inviting. Claire, sigh, a truely beautiful poem.

"Beyond all this good is the terror,The grip of a mercenary hand,When savagery turns all good reason, There's no turning back, no last stand,"I.Curtis

RobertB
Senior Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 1104
Champaign, IL
17 posted 2000-08-23 06:16 PM


Wow Claire, I will have to rethink the whole bath versus shower thing all over again!!

Robert

if you can dream; you can fly...if you are flying; you are dreaming.



Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
18 posted 2000-08-23 06:20 PM


Sensual and with a strong message that it is ok to be alone - we don't have to have someone in our lives to validate us!  A great message!

Corinne

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

19 posted 2000-08-23 07:46 PM


Parker, lovely and beautiful?? Wow!! Thank you, my poet friend. (oh, and Parker, I enjoyed it too...)     

James, thank you. Gently is the only way...yes.  

Dee, thanks much for reading. To my way of thinking, a warm bath by candlelight helps with every kind of flow, and most definitely creativity.  

Martie, pleasure, to me, is reading "your" poetry. Thank you for such a generous comment.

Brian, actually, yes, there is room. It's an antique Victorian tub that I found at a local architectural salvage shop. I'll move over.  
(oh I nearly forgot...thanks for reading....whew!)

Robert, showers are relaxing...but there's just something so quiet about a long bath, and you can listen to music and actually hear it.   Thanks for reading this piece.

Corinne, so perceptive are you...thank you for the nice commentary, my friend.

~ Claire


Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


X Angel
Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521
Oregon
20 posted 2000-08-24 09:48 AM


MMMMMMMMMM nice!!
Nothing so relaxing as a soak in the tub...tho' add to the occasion by using an herbal bath tea    (my fave is a Lavendar/Chamomile blend) the scents and oils and such make for a wonderful experience!
~H

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

21 posted 2000-08-24 05:56 PM


Heather, yes, herbal baths are exquisitely sensual and soothing, especially after a long day. (or any other time, come to think of it)  

Thank you for reading and for your "nice" response.  

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


English Rose
Member
since 2000-08-20
Posts 211
Berkshire, England
22 posted 2000-08-24 06:09 PM


This is such a beautiful poem......it must be..oh....ten years at least since I have been able to get into a bath...I really want one now!!!  Oh well, back to the shower.!
American Princess
Junior Member
since 2000-08-21
Posts 49
USA
23 posted 2000-08-24 06:43 PM


Claire,
How warm and wonderful this is! I am a shower person also, but this makes me want to try the bath thing again. But, one question...how do you find enough time uninterrupted to take a long bath??!!

Really, just beautiful!

American Princess




Jenn E
Senior Member
since 2000-08-02
Posts 589
Kelowna, BC, Canada
24 posted 2000-08-24 06:46 PM


The Men in here, I tell ya, a lady takes a bath and look what happens. LOL
I am a Bath queen and this poem relly hit the spot. You capture the feeling perfectly. Don't forget the candles...  
Jenn E

X Angel
Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521
Oregon
25 posted 2000-08-24 06:52 PM


In Britain they have this stuff called Radox (sp?) and it's herbal type bath salts...they had Cinnamon!!! Can you imagine? The water would slowly get warmer and warmer feeling LOL, as you turned into spiced people punch!

~H

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
26 posted 2000-08-24 08:22 PM


welp, I know I'll never look at a bath in the same way again...this is brilliant reading!
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
27 posted 2000-08-24 08:37 PM


Claire~
I just kind of figured you for a bath person !  

I'm also a long, soaking bath person -
the submersion is the best relaxant and
inspiration there could be.

Lots of candles ... ahhhhhh !
and soft music ... it sure is nice.

You've written a lovely verse, my dear poet.
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
28 posted 2000-08-24 08:52 PM


You know... I've been trying to read this for some time now... the problem is that the thought of you in a bathtub... well.. I haven't been able to concentrate enough to do it yet!  

I'll read it soon... I promise. Right after a cold shower!

BloomingRose
Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092
Florida
29 posted 2000-08-24 09:01 PM


Simply beautiful.

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

30 posted 2000-08-24 09:32 PM


English Rose, thank you very much for reading this, and for your nice comment.

American Princess, sometimes one simply must make the time. As for me, I have very quiet weekends. Thanks for reading...glad you enjoyed.

Jenn, Bath Queen...that's cute  
Thank you for reading, and not to worry about the candles. I always keep plenty about, in my favorite fragrances.

Heather, hi...spiced people punch...why do I think of Dr. Seuss just now??  Thanks for reading!

shadows, thank you, though I don't know about the "brilliant"...just some mind meanderings.

Miss Marge, yes, you figured right, my friend...there are but fewer things more agreeable.   Take care ~

Chris ~ the poem, Chris. Just  r  e  a  d    the   p  o  e  m.  
You are quite evil, you know.  

BloomingRose, thank you for the "beautiful"... as is your pen name.

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
31 posted 2000-08-24 10:14 PM


Claire,
       "A heart that will not open
is so difficult to reach"

This says it all. . . we can only open to others once we have opened to ourself. . .

Just wonderful my friend. . . think that I may need to take a bath myself. . .  

----------------------------------------------------


That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Silkdragon
Member
since 2000-06-24
Posts 65

32 posted 2000-08-25 01:23 AM


This was astonishing.  I love it so much, i have to print it out and put it on my wall.  I will read all of your poetry from now on.  Beautiful

Erin

CocoBaci
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043

33 posted 2000-08-25 02:07 AM


From start of verse you captured my mind N heart as I read thru the poem drawing me nearer to the close I can only say these few words ...

Inspiring & Elegant is this poem of your's

Coco  

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

34 posted 2000-08-25 09:25 AM


Sven, indeed these words are true, my friend. Thank you ... for everything....  

Silkdragon, thank you. I am flattered that you would want to print this for your wall, but very pleased to know it. Take care.

Coco, so glad to know you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and taking time to let me know.  

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
35 posted 2000-08-25 10:59 AM


I've added the name "MeadowMuse" to my list of "must read" posters - 'nuff said


JnR4eva
Member
since 2000-08-07
Posts 377
Bronx, NY
36 posted 2000-08-25 12:55 PM


a muse you are indeed
this poem is just beautiful..simply beautiful    the poor soul i feel for her pain and desire her heart to be free...wonderfully penned meadowmuse  


"my love is my motivation
my love is my inspiration
perception of this poem
is your interpretation"
-- me



Steve B
Member
since 2000-08-07
Posts 140
Southern PA
37 posted 2000-08-26 06:48 PM


Claire ~ You are a very talented writer, I have enjoyed every one of your's I have read, I visited your site and will get to read many more...  I found this one very interesting in it's content, your flowing structure is always present, I am neither old nor young, and no one ever holds the answers, but I have loved and lost love, once is hard, I dont like to count my times... but the one thing I know is that I always yearn and wish I had more fond and loving memories, and that as I now am looking age in the face, I fear doing so alone, something that was never a worry in younger days.. Your poem and words are great and you are right about there should be no price on ones freedom for love or any other reason, maybe thats why I am alone now, I wonder why having both seems so hard to find.. Steve B  
PS. is this about a bath??  hmmmm
        


[This message has been edited by Steve B (edited 08-26-2000).]

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

38 posted 2000-08-26 09:28 PM


Wilfred, 'nuff said, indeed.    Thank you for such smiles tonight!

JnR4eva, very kind words from you, and I appreciate them so much. Yes, setting one's heart free to love can be such a struggle.

Steve, thank you so much for reading and letting me know you enjoyed this. I'm glad you found your way to my website...you are always welcome there. Steve, I do understand your looking toward the future in a different way now. It is a natural progression, I believe, and quite normal for us to not want to grow into those days alone. There is simply so much to share. Take care, Steve, and ummm, yes, this is about a bath, a bathing, if you will, on many levels.  

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Tennessee Angel
Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661
Tennessee
39 posted 2000-08-26 09:36 PM


I won't take the time to repeat what thirty people before me have already said, though every word is true, but I love this piece.  Being the bath person that I am, I can so relate to its soothing, healing power!  This is a wonderful piece, both in structure and content.  
Chanson
Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559
Up Creek w/Out Paddle
40 posted 2000-08-26 09:42 PM


Meadowmuse, so gentle and serene are your words. A warm bath is a soothing way for release and relaxation  ..chanson~
Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
41 posted 2000-08-27 12:25 PM


Few poets on this forum command my attention as you do, Claire.  This was enjoyable throughout -- exactly the quality of writing I have come to expect from you.

Simply beautiful.  

--Kess


YOUR LIFE IS A TEST

It is only a test ...

If this were your Actual Life, you would have been given better instructions!


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