The bliss of a bath

Bath time equates with

escape, healing, and relaxation.

It is a time to let one's cares seep out of the body

and merge with the waters.

It is a time to feel the weightlessness

that comes with immersion.

It is a time to shut the door

on the rest of the world

and just be.

When I am in the bath,

nothing else matters.

The doorbell may ring,

the dogs may bark,

a storm may brew outside,

and I am in my own little world

where none of that can reach me.

Part of the pleasure of taking a bath

is the preparation involved.

For me there is

an entire ritual

that surrounds it.

I have to choose

proper reading material,

sometimes the novel

I am working on,

others, a book of poetry.

There are candles

to arrange and light,

until the deck of the tub is

aglow in firelight.

There is the choosing

of aromatics and additives

for the bath water.

Sometimes I crave bubbles,

big, thick mounds of them.

Or perhaps scented bath salts.

Or a sachet of herbs

gathered from the garden.

Or maybe a splash of rose water.

When no one else is home,

I play some mood music

from the stereo in the adjoining room

-- perhaps my favorite

romantic classical music

or Emmy Lou Harris or Damien Rice.

If I am lucky enough

to have a soft rain

falling outside,

I crack open the casements

and just listen.

The tub fills slowly.

It is quite large and deep

-- perfect for soaking.

Steam billows around me.

I breathe it in.

When the tub is full, I

gingerly swipe the surface

of the water with my toes,

testing to see how hot it is.

Stepping into the heat

always makes me

hold my breath.

I slowly lower myself

to a sitting position

and then stretch out.

And bliss ensues!

All these gorgeous images are from Marie Claire Maison.

Of all the simple pleasure this life has to offer, taking a bath must surely be among the most blissful.

May you take time to allow a little bliss to enhance your life.

Until next time...

Anne