We are One

Walking from SW Taylor

to Hawthorne

down to Morisson Bridge,

We carry pails of water

over our heads.

Children of Tanzania!

I brace at every step

for every child

with malaria

dysentery and dengue.

To teach

To learn

new things

unteachable, unfathomable

about themselves

about others.

Child Labor, there, a given

where kids fetch water

a daily living curse…

Water! Water!

how they hunger

for more water!

The baptismal elixir

The cathartic healer

hallowed be thy water!

Every inch

Every breath

Every step we take

we behold its passage.

Even rain water

nothing too small

we carry you over

deliver you

from Portland to Tanzania…

Oh Water!

you teach us humility

you bridge over penury.

Remember this lesson

I am very grateful

We are One!