Tonight's Poet Corner: Bathing In The Forbidden Lake

Bathing In The Forbidden Lake
by Belinda Roddie

My mental timer goes off, and I am sweating.
Hot, steamy, cold, subdued. I have no
recollection of past nightmares, yet
the good dreams are gone, too. Slowly,

I lift myself from the basin and feel
the silver clogging my ears. My eyes
are clouded over - I can feel
the murkiness, though I can see just fine.
Endless rows of redwoods, bordering water
that has only appeared for tonight.

Grabbing my clothes, I yank them,
stretch them, over my soggy body. There is
no moon hanging over me like a target. I am
dripping reds and golds despite the blues
and greens around me. I am speechless. I let
strings fly from the fabric. I am free.