What the Massage Therapist Knows

jasmine added to oil will disguise the smell of stinky feet
but it has changed the way she feels
about jasmine

coconut butter is cheaper than  fancy massage creams and oils
though nothing beats a $16 jar of radiance
from new frontiers

mascara stains the cradle covers
not even bleach and borax take it out
next time she'll order navy blue

breasts don't stay perky after forty
they droop and slide to the side, except
store bought ones

you'll apologize for not shaving your legs
no need
you should see hers

redheads have a unique smell
stronger, more pungent under the sheet
you know, down there

standing on the edge of the futon
helps her gain leverage, the weight of her body
against yours

men tell jokes to break the silence
as opposed to women, who
tell secrets

they love it when she reaches under the sheet
all the way down the spine, and lift
she knows that

sometimes she'll do it twice
just to hear them sigh, even though it exacerbates
her tendonitis

you put on heavy perfume to cover the fact
you didn't take a shower
the perfume is worse

you like looking at her bare feet through the face cradle
something about it makes you relax
feel safe

she turned on the fan not because
you might be getting too warm,
it was a hot flash

there are times you'd rather not listen
to new age music, sometimes
you just need quiet

when she leans into your sacrum it almost feels
like you grow two inches
doesn't it

flannel sheets are better
warm and cozy like her room
her hug

 

you'll know right away if she's good or not
seventeen seconds, they say
that's all it takes

you talk a lot, laugh loudly, tell jokes
hoping she won't notice
that pesky erection

you hold your legs tightly together
she almost has to pry them apart
to massage your thighs

it has nothing to do with modesty
you may have forgotten the past but
your body hasn't

she wishes she had a big spatula
so she didn't have to wake you up
to turn over

when she rubs your crooked old feet sometimes
she cries, thinking of all those miles
behind you

the pregnant ones are hardest to work on
but then the baby talks to her
through her hands

god

you want her to press harder, there
under the scapula, so tight
like a frozen wing

your nose may stuff up from lying face down
or from of the sadness you feel
untouched for so long

it's best to rub toes from pinky to biggest
or that song gets in her head, we we we
all the way home

you're wondering if she heard you fart
no, but
she smelled it

there is a difference between hurts
and hurts good
a big one

she rests her hands on your head, shoulders, hips, feet
to make you feel like one piece
connected again

you wish you didn't have to get up
could just sleep there a while, not knowing
she would've let you

you left that extra twenty on purpose
knowing the kid's tuition is due next week
thank you

when you get home the dog wags his tail
licks your arms and feet, sniffing
hers does it too

there are days when she can't wait for you
to arrive so she can touch someone
anyone

NOTE: My writer friend, Kay is a poetry therapist. She recently shared a poem by Ginger Andrews titled, "What the Cleaning Lady Knows"  that inspired me to write this "list poem" of my own.

Comments

[susan]

An interesting intimate view of secret thoughts that somehow through your fingers you have learned. Thank you for sharing--though it wasn't as lovely a journey, I suppose, as your massage.

[deb]

::sigh::

I should make an appointment for next week ;~)

[annieoddflower]

I enjoyed your list poem. It was interesting that you referred to Kay. I am currently in the process of working on Kay's Journal to the Self course.

I have been reading your blogs for a while. You may know somehow (through the magic of blog roll technology?), that I have just started a blog. I have a link to your blog in my list of regularly read blogs.

[Cathy]

Wonderful piece.

[Daisy]

What a lovely piece of writing, I really savoured each line.

[SB]

This -- is lovely. Thank you.

[hw]

I just finished my first massage session for the day and found your blog. Perfect prose for a session - wonderful words that non-therapists can treasure too. You've managed to capture so much that happens in a therapist's mind during a session. I'm sending the link to other massage therapists!

[lush]

I normally, in honesty, skim over most blog poetry. too oft rehashed stories and feelings make me go a big rubbery one. but i read every line of this.

i like the simplicity and earnest tones.

well done. makes me want a massage though, and that's not nice.

[sexkitten]

This is amazing.

[Taza]

Hi there, I think I just found the perfect "gift" for my next round of graduating massage students--with your permish of course! The last piece I used (with your permish of course) I copied, with proper credit and link, onto heavy stock paper--one copy for each student--plus I read it out loud at the graduation ceremony. Talk about a quavery voice!! So, may I please use this one for the next graduating class?

[Taza]

P.S. What is Radiance and what is New Frontiers? Now *I* want some!
lololol

[Lisa]

what a nice piece, thanks :)

[Randy]

Ok, I am addicted to massage - I try and go at least once a week - although lately its been more like twice a month. The guy I go to has hands of magic - I fall asleep everytime (I also fall asleep at the dentist- go figure). The only drawback (and its a minor one) is that he only listens to Country music. At first it bothered me - but now I have come to accept it as the way it is. And I have never farted - but have been afraid of doing so several times. Thanks for the poem - I always enjoy your blog(s) - Randy

[ellie]

Please tell your therapist....he would WANT to know. I tell all my clients that it is THEIR session and if they don't like music I'm playing they can ask for something else, bring a CD of their own, or have it quiet. One woman even used to bring her own cd player with headphones.

Thank you for your kind feedback. Wish I could get one every week!

[Illius]

That is beautiful! Thank you.

[Eve]

you captured it all! very nice!

[samantha]

can you please give me some information of being a massage therapist exemple:how long does it take to be a massage therapist? how long do i have to be in school for it?

[sammy]

please give me hints on being a massage therapist
i will be waiting for your answer hope you have a good day

many thanks
samantha

[vashon sanders]

I AM CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT HI TECH INSTITUTE COLL. I'VE LEARNED A LOT OF TECHNIQUES DEALING WITH MASSAGES.I THINK THAT ITS A GOOD FIELD TO GO INTO. I LEARNED THAT ITS NOT ALL ABOUT TOUCHING AND FEELING.ITS AN ART TO MASSAGING AND I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT IN THE CHINESE STYLE. I HAVE AGREAT TEACHER SHE'S TAUGHT ME MOST OF THE MASSAGES BUT I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT . SO FAR I HAVE LEARNED SWEDISH,FACIAL,PHYSICAL,AND FULL BODY MASSAGE.

[Karl]

Mercy, you are a phenomenal writer, Ellie. You brought me to smiles and almost to tears a few times. Lovely. God, you really just made me all the more aware of how much I need a massage. It's been forever.

[Maurice]

Hi, very nice page i was wondering if you would put a link to our website www.localhands.com

Site name: Local Hands

link: http://www.localhands.com

Description: Largest online directory for massage therapists, we have over 120,000 therapists.

Best regards,
Maurice Lopes
Localhands.com

[sandy]

Wonderful writing! I'd love to share this with my fellow massage therapy students. Thank you!

[J. Vaughn]

Very insightful, I've been trying to keep track of those little things that we MTs learn. thinking of making a "101 ways to apologize for not shaving your legs, and Why you don't have to" - I always say, don't worry the men I see never shave their legs.

[Massage Therapist]

Great article that is so true. I'm going to share this with my massage therapy class.

[Kate]

WOW! Well, I have been exploring the idea of whether or not I want to start massage therapy school - this was the last little push I needed - thanks!