I drive past the reservoir
and as always I am in awe
of all that water catching light
that stretch of small waves
reaching towards our town
and then I start to wonder
how much water one consumes
in a lifetime, not to mention
the flushes
the showers
the baths
the dishes
the laundry
the watered lawns
the slip n slides
the spilled cups
which pool on the floor
I bet we all use
as much if not more water
in our lives as is
contained in the reservoir today
what a thirsty thing we are
what a thing to drink up
all that
and still always want more

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award-winning poet, writer and playwright from Gilpin County, and is the author of seven published books. You can find his work and more information about him at www.alexandershalomjoseph.com.