GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

in a circular basin where
movement is constant
as water trickles over a child's toes

mother and daughter with heads
together look down at the action –
both sets of arms imitate each other

firmness and tenderness looked at
from above so both heads recede
look back to the roundness of the basin

look down, sit down below other chairs
as water always trickles down as
it does here though not in constant flow

cleanliness in innocence overrides
the task taken that goes around comes
around each day until the child bathes another

firmness and tenderness constant
as water trickles over a child's toes
with intimacy in a round basin