your bath

The first bath
Grandma was collecting flowers
from every where in town
Then put them to dry
Traditions
At the same time she was spreading the word
"My grand son is on his way
Our man is coming soon"
She had a dream about you
That dream where she saw a boy
With dark skin playing around
The ceremony has started
Grandma put the dry flower petals in a big basin
Then she poured some warm water followed
By the ritual songs and prayers
She puts you in the middle
I check the water again so many times
Not too cold not too hot
You cry, we sing
Children spread jasmine flowers on your head
You close your eyes
One petal went on your nose
We all laugh
You don't know us
We all know you and love you
Our man is having his official first bath!
Each part of you body
Will embrace the perfumed water
Coming from different flowers
It was over
My turn now to hide you in a big warm towel
I kiss you and comfort you with my breast
You grab it to complain about your agony
The milk will splash your face
I smile when you cry

Eighteen years later
Strangers will give you your last bath
You don't know them
They don't know you
They say some prayers
Traditions
It was a quick bath I can tell
As some blood was dry on your lips

I kissed it
I can never stop crying for you
I can never stop praying for you
You are my little man, my son