Thirst

The cracked and parched earth
lapping up
each drop of new fallen rain
drop by drop
absorbing and emanating
the smell of dampened soil.
The sun shining down like a sadist...
vapourising all the drops
and the smell of parched earth
pursuing as if to retrieve
that vital ingredient
and losing itself in the process
...and that is thirst

Published-- Sunday Pioneer, 16 November 1985