Water and Us

I spent my life managing water
over forty long years
only to realize it manages us
every well I drilled
river diversions cut
springs exploited
tunnels driven
pipelines buried
tanks constructed
treatment plants erected
and water rights filed
are simply fixed numbers
in computer models
wasting away imaginary time
in digital clouds of ignorance
water laughs in our faces
as a changing climate
deploys swelling energy
to buy futures of uncertainty
aquifers keep dropping
as emerald lands sink
rivers grip thinning flows
as dammed reservoirs shrivel
and starving shores desiccate
life into tears of sad vapor

it is not like it once was
flowing in generosity
but this I do understand—
water seems to flow into money
sadly—money can buy
some of us—some way
out of a changing climate
but only if we live
in just the right place
and with the proper means
but what about all the others—
dependent on its salvation
who may live in poverty
or lurching waves of uncertainty
starved for sustaining light
shrouded in the turbid shadows
of our arrogance and pride
and what will become our debt
to relieve their dearth
over shrinking aquifers
snubbed by an anxious planet
and how will any of them
discover the living waters
when they cannot afford
clean water for their living
in the end—we will understand
we cannot drink money