Taking a Bath

I remember bath day

In a big plastic basin
by the wood stove
we had our Sunday baths.

A bucket of hot water
and a half pail of cold,
for five girls
and four boys.

Don't stay too long
and don't splash the water.

I never owned a rubber duck,
but I can tell you
by my turn,
being nearly the youngest,
the water had
turned to mostly muck!