Unspoken Tokens - By Bob Atkinson

Unspoken Tokens - by Bob Atkinson he walked over desert sands for miles stumbling as a wild man up to a fellow he did approach to tell of the journey he made for gold with quiet eyes this gent appraised the needs of one who tramped so far no canteen upon his back he saw just tattered clothes and skin rubbed raw "you need a bath" he said so softly "the dust of road sets on you now, I have no water for your dried lips but here's a fountain in which to dip" "please sir, a drink of water now or I will die within the hour" he showed his mouth dry of moisture lips cracked open, face afire, broken "no man," the gent respoke with irritation "no water to drink, just to soak in, you set out on this journey when you had duties many things more important than wandering remotely yet you proceeded to trek across desert your lack of duty left your life useless now you want water for drink of mouth re-arranged priorities to that of the obvious sit down on that rock and ponder all of this how you ignored responsibility for a fools quest take your bath with pleasure there yet sip not the water, as you don't care for those strong ties of devotion to others and life's unspoken tokens