Sanctuary

The tile is slick on my way to the sauna, and my legs are hesitant. I leave my bag outside the door.

The steamed scent of wood, smoky but not quite, meets my nose when I enter. I step onto the first bench to spread my towel over the next. By the time I climb up to relax into the plush cotton, my hair is already halfway dried into waves.

I stretch myself out on my stomach. My toes touch the wall, and I push myself forward. Folding my arms in front of me, I rest my head and close my eyes.

Heat penetrates my shoulders in ethereal embrace, releasing my thoughts through my pores in peace and with love.

I rinse the sweat from my body before I move to the pool, laughing as I play in the water.