A Well in my Garden

A well in my garden, tiles all
glazed green and gleaming
around the perfect circular form
rising as high as my waist.
Is there really water down below?
I lift the metalic cover by its handle.
Yes, and it’s many far feet below my feet,
with nary a rung to climb on down.

Once there must have been
a pulley system and a pail,
for my next-door neighbor Ceci said,
as a child she drew her water from this well.
Hello, hello, you down below!
What a pleasure to see
that in the depths, your watery life
sparkles like a jewel.

It’s honored I feel to live by a well.
To know my thirst could be quenched,
to remember my body is mostly water
to learn to live legato and flowing.
Is this a wishing well?
I won’t drop coins but I’ll pray
for the earth’s well-being
and for every one of her earthlings.

I have never lived with a well before.
What are my stewarding duties?
I think the water reminds me today
to plumb my own profundities.
And this sturdy circular tower of tile
all glazed green and gleaming,
shows me that below the surface,
here and everywhere, runs love.

©Susa Silvermarie 2025