there was no
water when i woke
up this morning.
nothing for blocks
and blocks. a water
main had burst
somewhere nearby.
the spigots held
hardly a drop.
no showers, no
toilets to flush,
no hose in the
yard to spritz
the azaleas. no
coffee or tea.
the house was
dry, my lips were
parched, i could
feel that life
from here on out
would be hard,
and different.
and then the rains
came and we went
outdoors to cup
our hands, to hold
our hats, we put
buckets in the
driveway, pots and
pans on the lawn.
it suddenly became
understandable
how things like
light and darkness,
and rain could become
gods to worship.