Bathtub Poem by Abby Wesson

Each night I step into the bathtub
I set the knob at its highest temperature
Wanting to be able to feel it burn
I sink into a lying position
And breathe in and out deeply
It sounds like thunder under the water
The waves from the faucet gently rise
And cover me in a warm blanket
This slow drowning is comforting to me
And as it reaches the crease of my eyes
I close them
And I wonder why this is the only place I am at peace
Away from people
Away from the world
Only when it reaches the tip of my noise
Do I jolt up and catch my breath
I don’t have to cut
Or write a suicide note
Or smoke and drink
This is a good enough drug for me
And in that brief moment
I disappear and I’m home