The Ploughman

“The day is long the day is hot Heat radiates the air will this ever stop Sweat blurs my vision my mouth is dry I look for salvation but not a cloud in the sky I plough from sunrise to sunset but rarely will I rest Ploughing the dusty fields so life can grow So at summers end may I reap what I sow Now through the dust a figure appears Coming toward me till quite clear A girl stands before me bare feet in tilled earth She looks up at me and smiles and then I see Ladle and bucket grasps in her hands salvation for me Dismounting my iron horse I'm now on bended knee Lifting the ladle I take long sips cold cool water passes my lips At last the drought of my body is finally eclipsed Water in hands I soothe the cracks in my face and burning neck Then with humble gratitude I give the ladle back Smiling she turns without a word and heads back whence she came Disappearing to my astonishment in the unforeseen rain” Jon J.