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water
by Peter Humphreysthey say
she
fell
over there
yes
just across
the water
from where
the reeds
come to shore
as in
Mose's story
yes
there was
no warning
she just
fell
people ran
to help
but
it was
hope
less
tendrils
tenderly
trailing
hairlike
in the water
the surge
has subsided
only broken limbs
show
above the flow
an old water rat
has
a new home
upturned roots
a hundred years
a-growing
in the slanting
winter sun
and thin
winter air
behind me
a wren
disappears 03/19/2007
Author's Note: This poem was originally written after seeing a beautiful old tree brought down in winter storms. But I am reposting it now in honour of World Water Day. Today our concerns should not just be for the tragedy of one solitary tree but the 1 billion people we share this planet with that lack access to clean drinking water. Every eight seconds, a young child dies from lack of water or a waterborne disease. That's the same as a Boeing 747 full of kids going down every hour.
Posted on 03/19/2007
Copyright © 2026 Peter Humphreys
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