Countdown

Two, three
Warm, tepid
Four, five
Heat rising
Sweat running
Strigil skin
Fresh, pink
Still counting.
Degrees higher
Perspiring
Bead drenched
Boiling over
In the hot room
Close to meltdown
Slide oily
To the cooler
Twelve, Eleven
Start the countdown
Ten to the
Figidarium.
Plunge deep
Shocking water.
Lungs dilating
Torso tightening
Pores closing
Skin shrinking
Brain aching
Freezing marrow
Five to Nine
Bath time over.
Feel much better
Back tomorrow.