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Shower Pantoum

Chloe Mason

When I shower after ten days,
it feels like I’m drowning.
I hang up a dirty towel to dry off with,
and shampoo three times.

It feels like I’m drowning.
I don’t shave, just stare at the razor,
and shampoo three times.
Hot water burns/cold water stings.

I don’t shave, just stare at the razor,
and smear clumps of hair on the humid wall.
Hot water burns/cold water stings.
A loofah swings like a flail between my thighs.

Smeared clumps of hair on the humid wall,
are dark, like the black mold on the plastic curtain.
A loofa swings like a flail between my thighs,
heavy with the scum’s burden,

dark like the black mold on the plastic curtain.
I lick thick soap off my fingers,
heavy with the scum’s burden.
Will I ever be clean?

I lick thick soap off my fingers.
A dirty towel to dry off with.
Will I ever be clean?
When I shower after ten days.

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