Ruth Smith
After a Hard Day at the Alhambra
In the women’s showers
at Granada Camping
I check below door-level,
study the shift
and stir of feet,
listen for water
that splutters to a halt,
a shuffle, a pause,
the swssssh of body spray.
But I’m dreaming of pillars
and arches, walls
tiled with diamonds
and tumbling stars
where heavy steams
condense and women
in musk and sequins
henna their nails,
dab wrists with ambergris.
It’s my turn now.
In the thin-walled cubicle
I find a hook
for my towelling robe,
juggle with soap
rinse out shampoo
and flip-flop back
humming the song
their blind musicians played.
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