Dreams that , decades later , back at my hotel in Fez , A bucket of cold water was suddenly poured on.I 'd gone to the hammam , stripped , and lay on a patternOf sopping tiles that might have spelled God 's will.Steam shrouded the attendant methodically soapingThe knots of disappointment he 'd knuckled in my back.He paused .
The cold water gave a jolting shock as it hit the skin .