BATH MAT by Brent Vickers
The sopping blue, the dripping of expired water rich with calcium,
tainted by artificial soap and microscopic flakes of skin.
The sopping blue, the cotton fibers twisting and meshing together
like a rat-king, unable to separate once they’ve dried.
The sopping blue, the sub-mats of cotton smooshed down,
unable to rise again, impotent.
The sopping blue, the sticking of the carpet to the soles of feet,
the peeling that commences after the sticking.
The sopping blue, forever stood on, forever soaking in eternal wetness
until retirement comes and it is thrown out, discarded, forgotten.
//ww
tainted by artificial soap and microscopic flakes of skin.
The sopping blue, the cotton fibers twisting and meshing together
like a rat-king, unable to separate once they’ve dried.
The sopping blue, the sub-mats of cotton smooshed down,
unable to rise again, impotent.
The sopping blue, the sticking of the carpet to the soles of feet,
the peeling that commences after the sticking.
The sopping blue, forever stood on, forever soaking in eternal wetness
until retirement comes and it is thrown out, discarded, forgotten.
//ww