Crowding ‘round the sprouting teats

We are into our fourth waterless day. Hence my moan.

Water water everywhere

But nothing in the tap.

Water truck comes once a day

Fill buckets before you crap.

Paper plates and dirty clothes.

Smelly people full of woes.

Waterless soap to wash our toes.

Nothing in the garden grows.

Greasy hair and dirty floors

Lugging buckets through the doors.

Our calloused hands are full of sores.

Procrastinating essential chores

Neighbours lining down the street.

Buckets and pots around their feet.

Waiting and waiting impatiently.

At least the water they bring is free.

Crowding around the spouting teats

Like piglets enjoying their water feasts.

Kind neighbours help us oldies drag.

Under this weight our poor backs sag.

Believe some incompetent employee

Let the reservoir run dry.

So big problems for you and me

As we ask the question, “Why?”

As we look upon our lake

So full and beautiful, we quake.

It’s scary doing without.

What the hell is it all about?

A problem we feel we cannot bear.

Thank God they don’t supply our air!

MARIE PARKES

Maidstone