Coming Home to the Self, to the Body

The door shuts behind me, the clang of the key rings out as I drop them into the bowl. A cloud of dust, before it settles. In the sudden silence, the tired bag slips off my shoulder; and I melt into the familiarity of coming home.

The day is done; though still clinging onto my skin, wrapped around and through my body. I make my way through the house. A loud stretch, a sigh to mark an ending, and a soft hum. I smile, ready for the conversation to come.

One foot in, testing the water; and then the other. The feet first protest and soon settle into the familiar warmth. They snake around shyly on the tiles below, befriending the puddles that form. I thank my feet for moving me forward at times I felt I could not.

Droplets collect at my tired knees and fall sharply onto squares of sky blue below. I thank them for all they endure. My knees that allow me to bend, jump and twist – sometimes beyond what I think I am capable of.

Steam rises off my tingling, flushed skin. I lose myself in the embrace of the heat. My body revolves and sways smilingly, led by an unknown force. In my blanket of warmth, time stands still. A deep breath in, and then out.

Ripples of water over my stomach. My hands hold on firmly to my centre. I thank it for the times it housed butterflies, elephants and storms; times it held me together when I felt I was unravelling. I thank my chest; sturdy like a mountain, amidst changing tides of ambiguity. Offering unwavering strength, despite the lurches of change.

Finally, a deep breath in and then out. A loud stretch, a sigh to mark an ending and a soft hum.

The knob turns behind me, the waterfall turns into nothingness. A cloud of steam, before it settles. In the sudden silence, the soft towel slips around me. I have melted into the familiarity of coming home.

Written by: Anchal Sood

The art piece has been created in response to the post by Anchal Sood

©AnchalSood/IADMT2020

#BodyAwareness #Home #BodyPositivity #Familiarity #Gratitude