the chrysalis opens
and I regress

the water cocoon envelopes my body
and two hands reach through to
cleanse the roughage

sitting on a padded table in a
warm but sterile room
a woman in a rubber apron
hoses me down gently

partially naked
I accept her request
to wash my hair

she scrubs me down
but not raw, just pressure

just salt, just salt

she dances herbs
down my hallways

passages open

eucalyptus lingers
sometimes a little

too long

I accept her request
to wrap me up

to swaddle my adult
body

because

    why not?