picture from Wikimedia Commnons
in patterns on the bathroom tiles
I still recall
the dragon and the evil man
I used to dress them up in suds
and make up stories with
my plastic toys
(probably a duck at least)
my constant company in bath
together conquering
the dragon of the tiles
to take a bath was
a big adventure every time
in our bathroom that was green
sometimes
it was a big aquarium, I dived
beneath the surface
blowing bubbles
burbling gurgling
blowing bubbles
& I learned to read
from bottles of shampoo
softness made from lemons
(so it said)
gives brightness and
a smell of meadow grass
in bright clear colours were
like witches potions
for cleanliness
but as I grew up I learned
to shower, make it quick
effectiveness is best –
the dragon and the man
I can no longer see
and no more suds for me
or making bubbles any more
—
at dVerse today, Claudia encourage us to write bathroom-poetry. Come and join us at 3PM EST
—
June 1, 2013
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Good one, Bjorn. I remember those ‘old days’ with bathtub toys as well…but the water cooled down SO quickly, so I didn’t really like to linger. No more suds for me any more either! I prefer HOT showers today!
We all grow up … we all do
So very sweet and tender.
.. I have sweet memories from the tub …
ha… yeah…we’re so rational with everything..i hate this sometimes…def. i think you should take a long bath and play those old games again…ha…what fun..smiles
But I miss the dragon… my mother have new tiles now… 😦
kinda bitter sweet…growing up…i still take a hot bath on occassion…for my knees…smiles…but we had days where we played and made up stories in the tub..got water every where and heard about it from ma…..i’m sure you can imagine the dragon…
these day the tub we have is an old one of cast-iron… the water never gets warm enough… so I enjoy showering instead.
A coming of age story! I love the line of learning to read from shampoo bottles. And, of course, the dragon.
Thank you Victoria.. yes those abstract patterns in the tiles was enchanting.
I like the look back to those fun times, when all was an adventure in the water ~ Now, we are more efficient with our time, I even clean up after I use it ~ We have a bathtub, but no one uses it too ~ Happy weekend Bjorn ~
No a quick shower and then … yes clean up. but we still have the rubber duckies
What a wonderful capture of childhood.
Thank you 🙂
It’s never to late to reminisce, try taking a bath !, it might rejuvenate you and bring back some good memories ! Liked your poem !!
Thank you.. was reminded of that dragon the other day… came back very vivid…
what a fun scene- the dragons and heroes all in suds! Fun write – K
Thank you 🙂
ah, nostalgia and some great sharp images with the dragon and the tiles. softness made form lemons…:) bubbles make me happy. you may have just inspired me to take a lemon-scented bath. Thanks.
we had lemons in everything when I was a kid.. what happened to that?
Come on, Bjorn… just because you’re a grown man doesn’t mean you can’t have long bubble baths with rubber duckies.
I should and could but I have lost the joy of long baths
Yes. I love baths! And you bring up many special times by sharing your own. k.
I especially recall those patterns in the tiles… I need new tiles I think (plain white ones are not inspiring)
I guess I was about 13 when I began to prefer the shower to the tub, just tired of sitting in my own exfoliation & schmutz. Loved your waterborne adventures, your inner child, & the verse.
Thank you Björn, you’ve reminded me that I used to have a Weeble submarine to play with at bath times. I still occasionally have a bath (purely for relaxation), but shower otherwise.
this brings back fond memories–as a child, I loved to play and now with showers and the adult–the imaginary play is scrubbed away.
Bath time was fun as a kid…I remember making bubble hairdo’s ..lol..I wonder why I did that..thanks for the memories..I still enjoy a luxurious bath to relieve stress.
the dragon and the man– simply love the sound of it and the image of childhood. enjoyed.
That’s a little sad. Nicely written. But sad.
You’re very right Bjorn! One progressed on how it had been a ritual in having baths that changed though the years. Nicely!
Hank
..ah, the childhood dramas… how i still carried ’em in my wide aquarium… i would always get a hard knock at the door from either mum & dad for staying an hour or two inside the bathroom.. always worried to think i was already drowned.. li’l did they know i was in deep slumbering with my dragons… ha.. smiles… so good to reminisce… thanks…
Some of us never really grow up and still luxuriate in big bubble baths although I would never admit to owning a yellow rubber dukie 🙂
such wonderful memories
high tech toilet power
so scented with memory and texture i feel it with with every sense a wonderful piece
I watch this same conquering, joy, bubbly fun in my children as they battle, enchant and dive in the pool that is a tub. Enjoyed your poem.