Bath time

I’m ready for my bath
The tub awaits me
The walls of the bathroom are engulfed with those lime green tiles you could only find in the 70’s
The water is mixed with suave kids bubble bath
And a small plastic elephant perched elegantly on the edge of the tub

Mom turns the faucet handle
Water begins to poor out like menthol dropped in a coca cola can
She places her hand under the faucet stream
Too cold
She leaves me on the toilet
Naked
Door closed
To go smoke a cigarette in the garage

Our dog foxy scratches at the bathroom door frame
bits of white paint chips fall under the door crack
Scattering the hardwood floor like asbestos
The room begins to fill with steam
who knew you could have a sauna for children?

Mom comes back
Puts her hand under the faucet
Too hot
Adjusts it
Puts her hand under the faucet
Too cold
Adjusts it
Puts her hand under the faucet
She pulls the stopped on the bottom on the tub
The steady sound of the water changes as the current hits the tub
Time for another Cigarette break

There is painting of two brown elephants hanging off the wall
A mother and her child elephant 
The mother holding her child’s trunk in her tail
The sky around them is dreary 
As this is the end of their journey
Just eight legs, four husks, and two tails
Wondering with a beautiful golden frame surrounding them

The room illuminates with the smell of campfire and eucalyptus 
Mom is back
Like a plane turning off it’s engine the steady gushing of liquid suddenly stops

The water is ready
The bath has been set
I am alone once again
Naked
In the bath
Plastic boats, sponge toys, and bubbles that smell like fresh linens
Even a plastic elephant perched on the side of the tub
But I am no longer ready for bath time