Springs

Springs of water moving,
Like a bubbling fountain.
An oasis to that barren soil,
With green-growths on the mountain.

That made sustenance scantily,
Where veins of water ran.
That made the freshness on the hill,
And being but succor to the eyes of man.

So often did I stand to watch,
So small a a trickle of but drops.
That oozed so slowly round the stems,
And saturation all but stops.

Sometimes so slowly would I stoop,
And with a stick...I'd ream.
The muddied parts aside,
Into a little stream.

And when I went to drink again,
T'was sometimes in the Autumn.
My lips would fall upon the stream,
As water-bugs swam in the bottom.


E.P. 1908 - 1989

Emery Canyon Springs in Cassia County, Idaho