Who doesn't like a good bath?
The right bath bomb, salts or suds in combo with hot water and a playlist that may or may not have a blend of Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan and SZA makes for a lovely and relaxing moment.
The only thing that could make it any better would be a good read.
We all know Maya, Nikki, Audre, Alice, Sonia, Gwendolyn and so many other Women of Color who could speak to your soul and your situations with the words they wrote. But there is a new(er) crop of writers creating contemporary and contemplative works of poetry and prose that speak to the sentiments of the modern woman.
Here are seven incredible poetry books you should be reading during your next bath.
The Chaos of Longing by K. Y. Robinson
This beautiful and often brutal book of poems takes the reader through trauma, mental illness, healing and victory.
2Fish by Jhene Aiko
If the name sounds familiar, yes, it's the same Jhené we know from her dulcet tone voice and chill vibes. Here, she shares a very intimate side of herself, including poems and short stories she has kept since the tender age of 12.
Bone by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa's first book is already being hailed as a classic. It's a stark, visceral verse-filled journey in and out of pain through poetry.
Salt by Nayyirah Waheed
Nayyirah Waheed's Salt is literally that, flavor for the sometimes bland poetry world and a purifier for those rough days which only a poet of Waheed's gifting can create words for.
Wild Embers by Nikita Gill
Wild Embers will ignite self-love and appreciation for the beauty that lies both within and all around.
Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle
In her fourth book, Alex Elle returns with beautiful prose and poetry of healing, victory, resilience and her overall theme of self-care.
Dear Ancestors by CP Patrick
This is Patrick's second book, her first book of poetry. She's one of my personal new favorite authors and she scribes powerful poems and reflective prose honoring the past and fueling us here in the present.
Shout out to #SelfCare.
Whitney Alese is a writer and blogger from Philly who loves coffee, reusable bags, and Jesus — not in that order.