The Wandress

She revisits this creek once dry

bubbling and trickling 

pulling sediment and waste with its current

irrigating the once dry and stagnant 

The dam must have fallen, or must have been pushed through

Eroded by the steady flow, time its enemy

And her ally

As she, with worn feet and chapped lips, 

Steps into the creek once more for her daily drink

Each day she visits in hope of one sip, one dip into the shallow

Never was it enough

Always left wanting

Until the dam dissipated

And water could freely flow

As a steady stream and powerful rain turned her dry creek into a river

She could swim

She could immerse her whole body and bathe properly

She could treat each wound and drink as much as she could

She could fill her cup to the brim and

then

Leaving with what she thinks is enough

Until she is relying on one last sip

Forgetful of the river she wandered

Aimless like the algae growing she wandered to a barren land

And was left wanting.