By Barbara Dunham
Pensacola Branch
29 years. She’s been bathing residents for 29 years.
And I am now one of them. Too broken to bathe myself.
So very grateful that she is willing to do it for me.
So gentle and thorough.
Warm water soothing my skin, the luxury of lotion.
And the basic joy of being clean.
She calls it my spa experience, trying to ameliorate
my self-consciousness.
When it is done, and I am dressed, I try to make eye contact
to express my gratitude. She glances away,
sidestepping my attempt to connect.
Bath day comes again and my Madonna gifts me something
I need. I tear up at the gesture.
The mask slips, she comforts me.
I learn her mask is there for her—protecting her
from tears of empathy for those she helps.
She tells me a personal story and why she performs this service.
She tells me that, in the end,
this is her calling.
This is what she does.
This is who she is.
True nobility.
My Madonna of the Bath.
Some of the simplest acts leave the strongest effect. What a lovely look into such an intimate moment. The comparison to the Madonna is so appreciated here. Touching poem.
Excellent. With Smiles.
This poem is so touching. It reminds me of the sacred in simple acts, and the power of what is being expressed by those acts.
What a thoughtful poem! I bathed my mother for many years. Bathing is such an intimate experience. Barbara, you capture so clearly the need for some distance, the desire for connection, and the giving and taking involved in the act. The title expresses the concept of a “holy” moment which is exactly what occurs when two human beings truly relate.
What an absolutely moving and beautiful poem, Barbara! I love the simplicity of topic and the complexity of emotions. I have tears in my eyes..
Lovely and very sweet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and words on this personal and private experience. Your poem is beautifully expressed.
When one is injured and helpless, it means so much to be shown such patient kindness. A tender and moving poem.
This is extraordinarily moving, Barbara – an emotional response is what one wants from a poem, and this one gets top marks for that. Perfect title and unique topic in a beautifully expressed poem that we will all surely recall many times.
Barbara’s poem makes me think about all the caregivers who give care and also give of themselves. I love her lines, “the basic joy of being clean,” and “this is her calling.” It’s such an honest poem, with the speaker willing to reveal her vulnerability and trust.
This took my breath away. I hope I find a Madonna when I need help. The word choices were specific, meaningful and tender. Thank you for this experience.
Beautiful! Brilliant!
Your poem is so touching. and lovely. It is very beautiful. May your Madonna continue bless you with comfort.
that is so truly lovely
Wonderful! You are loved!
Barbra,touching poem and tribute. Autry Dye
This is beautiful!
In this lovely poem, Barbara Dunham made me think about the many caregivers who not only give care but also give of themselves. The speaker of the poem exposes herself both literally and metaphorically as she describes this ritual, this simple “joy of being clean,” something that most of us probably take for granted each day. The speaker’s gratitude is what makes this poem so heartfelt and honest.
So heartfelt and perfectly expressed.
I am in tears! Thank you for this wonderful poem.
I love it. BATHS ARE so important and relaxing
this poem so resonates with me because I now live in assisted living. It is difficult when one has been so independent and now must rely on others to assist her. Kudos for putting words on paper that I feel every day.
Most excellent and beautiful poem.
With Bows and Smiles,
Sherburn LaBelle
This is lovely, such an important topic. Word choice, brevity suits the theme perfectly.
However, I don’t understand the distances between lines. Maybe it’s my computer.
The poem was published with the line spacing provided by the poet. One possibility is that leaving these spaces slows down the reading, like the gentle washing of the caregiver. Just one idea.
I wrote this poem while in 3 months of rehab. I was walking my dog & was hit by a truck at 30 mph. I am blessed to be alive. I could only use my hands & one leg. In a body brace, cervical collar & boot. Unlike a computer, my iPhone didn’t afford me the same word processing capabilities. But I love your explanation. Thank you so much.
Barbara,
So many people responded to your poem which is honest, personal, and also a tribute to those many caregivers. What an awful experience you endured — and your dog, too! I hope you are feeling much stronger now and that you are able to do things for yourself. Lucky to be alive, indeed!
Beautiful! I needed to read this this morning after all the dreadful news. Thank you for reminding us of all the kindness and goodness in the world.