she came to the fountain
looking for a wish
something to quench
her parched insides
this was where she'd always come
to partake of the cup
to eat of the bread
taste the wine on her lips
she came
looking for a word
hungering for a blessing
a sip of living water
she looked at the others
all dressed up
with their sunday faces
leaving all their pain at home
she sat down
flipped through the familiar book
seeing the words and the notes
echoes of her childhood
promises of peace passing understanding
life everlasting
all her longings fulfilled
if she came and assumed the role
she bent forward
as if in supplication
too weary to hold up her head
too raw to say the words
to stand up at the asterik
speak at the bold
shake a hand at the Peace
or sing boldly of a fountain filled with blood
she thought of cool water
on her tongue
aching for a hug, a touch
but her neighbor looked at her frightened
this is where she'd always come
this is where they spoke of water gushing up
plentiful, cool, refreshing, life-giving
she could still taste the tangy sweetness of the wine
remembering how the small square of bread
got stuck on the roof of her mouth
she quietly left the fancy room with fancy people
in search of
water
