Thirst

Oh, I know how I can get
When I have not had a drink of water.
My brows furrow
And my eyes turn dull and lifeless.

Every day I begin anew
Searching for that elixir
To slake my thirst,
To nourish my soul.

As I stumble through the desert
From time to time
I see a shimmer
Against the Horizon:
Alas, for it to be a mirage
As I draw near.

Yet I walk on
As I must
To find that solace for my soul,
until that very day
That I hear the sound of water
Coming from a Spring
In that barren desert.

I run,
Cup in my trembling hand,
reaching, reaching,
I cry:
Come fill my cup!
When I hear the Guardians’ voices:
That water is not free.
Are you good for that?
Yes, I murmured
fingering the coins in my modest cloak.
Well then, they said sternly.

And then they asked:
Are you worthy,
Worthy of the elixir?
This we must now ponder
in good measure.
There’s nothing for you to do now
But wait.

As they ponder and ponder,
I Kneel, praying
For water,
Holy, sacred water
To quench my thirst
To bring solace to my soul.

The answer is long in coming.