The rain falls straight

you want to stay dry.

The open foot bath

sits at the back of the bus stop

two rectangular basins

under a glossy tiled roof

resting on eight columns.

The water hospitably warm

freckled with white.

No worries, a sign says

natural minerals from the heart

of the earth, good for you

your skin. Don’t drink.

Sit a while.

Benches along each basin.

You’d stand for your feet

to touch bottom, why would you

when you can sit?

---

It feels strangely intimate

to bare your feet

on the sidewalk, stuff socks in boots.

The rain curtains you from the street.

You sit down, soak your toes

in delicious hot spring water.

You swing your legs, wiggle.

The heat climbs up your legs

loosens tongues, eases conversations

between strangers, an older man

two school girls, three tourists

all sharing a moment of comfort

in the middle of their day.

Your bandanna dries your feet

you unroll your pants

step on the bus

warmed and refreshed.