“Some Words for the Week”

I switch on the faucet

after a day in the sun and soil

and I cherish the drops

that fall onto white porcelain

although I probably

use more than I should

and am not grateful enough

for what I wash with and drink

for in my lifetime

maybe even in a matter of

a few dry years

a bath could be a luxury

afforded only to the ultra rich

and bottle of water

will be worth more than wine

but for now the sprinklers spray

in the wrong direction

spilling out into the street

there is a line at the car wash

and there is no worry

in the world

and I put my head

below the rush

and I am grateful

and I am scared

and I am grateful

Alexander Shalom Joseph is a writer from Gilpin County. He has two published books and one more forthcoming in the Fall of 2022. For more information and to subscribe to Alexander’s Newsletter go to alexandershalomjoseph.com