BATH.(Poem)

 
   Kindness, an Irish lilt in her voice, 
   spares me the effort of running the water 
   and supports my elbow when, stripped 
   of everything but wound dressings, 
   I take a giant step into the tub. 
 
   Warm water wells into my crotch, 
   unlocks my spine, lullabies my stomach. 
   Is it because I've passed through 
   such extremity that the comfort I feel 
   is intense as the yellow daffodil's trumpet? 
 
   Yesterday--my raw body stranded 
   by the basin, chill sprouting on my skin 
   while a Chinese student nurse 
   conscientiously dabbed each 
   ...