Sacrifice

It’s nothing but desert for kilometers, nothing as far as you can see. Not even the sparse brush to keep you company Wondering further and further Wondering if it was all for not Hours turn to days Then slowly days turned to weeks Must find where it came from It came from this way, I’m sure it was this way? Plague and famine have ravished the towns in the basin Nothings left with the droughts that hit There should be something out here, a river, if gods be plentiful, a puddle if they can at least be gentle…..snakes if their more devils than gods Lips cracked and moving as though joints were filled with sand I see it, the oasis It’s said to only show in times of desperate need But there's also a curse If your to take from the gods, even if it is to save You must leave something dear Hesitating, I clutch my last piece of my lost family A little wooden block with teeth marks It’s not just the block that must be left It’s the memories tied to the item that must also be left What a cruel joke What cruel salvation Taking the last few steps to the bubbling little river Right up to the stacked stones Tears run hot and ragged down my face As I raise my hand, gently placing the block on the slab I don't understand, there's nothing here? Just an alter My face feels wet? Why was I crying? No time, must hurry I lead my horse to the water, refilling packs, loading the wagon All while tears just streamed down my cheeks I hope this helps them That little town, I know no one there, not even from there But they shouldn’t suffer like home did But…what happened at home? Where is home? I don’t remember Must have been part of the price.