333 - St. Thomas in the Tub

St. Thomas in the Tub

By Kathy Coffey

Of all Aquinas' encyclopedia,
this parenthesis is best:
For depression and ache,
he prescribed a hot bath.
Picture the theologian:
choosing lavender soap,
gauging the temperature
with his toe, ensconcing himself
to think the Summa straight.
Indeed, the cry from these depths
comes less agonized; prickly question
marks unbend; raw hurts ease.
Such rest, the preface to theology.

Kathy Coffey teaches English at the University of Colorado, Denver, and Regis College. Her work has appeared in America, Spiritual Life, National Catholic Reporter, Marriage and Family, Catechumenate, Christian Science Monitor, Praying, and The Christian Century.