bathing in the euphrates 

scratching the crumbs of the waves, crushing 

them gently, sprinkling them over the translucent 

film that is slowly congealing into a body 

                                                 bathing in the mississippi 

she holds it up, glides 

her fingers across its spine, 

snorts its musky fragrance searching for 

familiar notes — 

“it’s a cutlet” 

                                                                             bathing in the indus 

in the distance their father calls 

them back to shore. they 

giggle together as they float 

forward and leave me behind. hovering 

in the midst of a curdled suspension — 

the calloused water scrapes my throat