I.
Naked to myself in the mirror.
Hair wild—
golden, waves and curls.
Eyes searching my insides for judgment,
coming up empty handed.
I know every scar, every stretch mark, every dimple—
every part of myself.
I love the map of my flesh—
the skin I’m in tells me exactly where I’ve been—
who I was versus who I now am.
She’s bittersweet wrapped in lovely.

II.
Water beats down over my body—
rinsing away the day and its different energies.
Salt thrown at my feet,
mist rising—
I become gravity.
Spiritually cleansing—
ritual retreat.

III.
Gently, I wash my scales—
flat.
A fish that grew legs for walking the land—
Pisces woman.
Hair strands trail in water—
patterning over shoulders, breasts, and back.
The foam of concoctions, magical promises,
fold into the drain pool—
a sea of white froth,
moving me away from dawn—
and into dusk.
Humming softly to my heart’s content—
my whole body vibrating—
cleansed.

IV.
Rough towel, rugged, scraping at water droplets—
I prefer them like this—
thick papery sand—
well-used, beaten in—
withstanding the washer and dryer for years—
before perfect.
Grounding effect.

V.
I’ve arrived, glowing—
silver and golden highlights.
Mirror reflects transformation.
Smoothed hair I’d combed while in there.
Eyes: focal points—
deep blue ocean.
Skin pink, and red—
vibrant.
Come alive again—
washed in liquid crystal and air.

VI.
Getting dressed,
I am reluctant.
I know it’s what I’m supposed to do next—
but I feel so good like this—
boundless.
I give myself time to adjust.

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