As an average student getting by
I find a part-time job working for an elderly man,
who needs the help
to rake leaves and mow the lawn.
We sit and chat awhile.
Friendship grows in the garden
I learned
to share and give.

The old man’s part is done.
His life fulfilled, he dies.
Unknown to me,
he has no family or kin
to leave his lifelong treasure.

He could have given it to charity,
but gave it to me.
I used the wealth
to gain more treasure.
It was a promise he had made to me
to help the less fortunate.

For everything I gained,
I gave half back.
I found a beautiful girl
who shared my dreams.

We fell in love
and got married.
Lived on the lake.

As the years go by,
My family, faith, and friends still remain.
A treasure more than gold.
It was the treasure the old man gave,
to bad it was
disguised as cold hard cash.
Oh well!

Grateful for the life I lead
Free to come
Free to go
Free to speak
Free to vote

Grateful for the Pilgrims’ plan
Free to worship in this new land
Free to gather
Free to write

Grateful to those who have to fight
for freedom’s precious right

Each life lost is not for naught
It is sacrifice unmatched
For to give one’s life
to free another

“Live free or die”
should be the motto.

Maize, sienna, red and rust divisions
set the stage for the surrender as they must
for time has come for Earth to rest.

Infantry have fallen to the ground
Crispy, crunchy, dried and brown

Steel gray swords
 Brown armor
 Black shields

set the scene for the new General, cannot yield.
The skies are cold and empty
General Winter approaches from the North.

Life is a symphony
And we’re the instruments

One composer writes the score
and tries to keep us in harmony

The notes we play are similar, but not the same
Quarter, eighth, half or whole
Tempo fast, tempo slow

Alto, tenor, bass, soprano
conflict in the music rises

Symbols clash
Trumpets blare
Clarinets scream
Flutes whistle

Each make their point
Resolution commences as notes are blended
 directed by the Maestro.

Off to the side of a quaint country road in the Adirondacks lies a large rectangular granite stone with a metal spout that can be swiveled in any direction. On the top a basin is hewn out of the tan granite stone. There may be a coin or two in the water in the basin like a wishing well. The top and the basin are polished, but the sides are rough. When the spout is turned toward the basin, water flows out of the spout and into the basin. That’s the well!
Pure cold water flows continuously from a deep artesian spring. It never stops. Many people come to the well to fill water bottles, gallon jugs, or larger containers. My father told me that he and his family have been going to the well for over sixty years. Our family fills about twelve gallon containers a week. It is a weekly routine to go get water from the well. When we were young, my parents filled the jugs, but now my brother and me take turns doing this job.
In the summer, the well is busy. Everyone takes a turn to fill their containers. My dad always talks to the people who are getting water. Many of those people have been coming to the well a long time, too. And from far away places as well. People seem friendly and exchange small talk. If someone has a lot of containers to fill, that person might offer to let someone who has only one container fill theirs first. Everyone we’ve met is patient and courteous.
The water comes out of the spout only so fast. It takes about a minute to fill a gallon jug. When we have to wait, I wonder how long this well has been there. Did people bring their horses here for a drink before there were cars? How many gallons of water passed through that spout only to continue on to the river? How many people have come to the well?
It’s our turn. I take a drink from the spout. This water is so clean, so crystal clear. I listen to the rushing sound as the water fills the container. I feel that water on my hands as the water overflows the container. In the summer heat, it feels wonderfully cool. In the winter, I try not to get my hands wet because it can be numbing.
The town maintains the well and does tests to make sure the water is safe to drink. Last spring the water became contaminated by some people who did this on purpose. The well had to be shut down for several weeks to clear the contaminates. We kept checking to see when the well would be open again. It is the best water. It is better than any bottled spring water.
I suppose it’s also best because it is free. You can fill as many containers as you want, but don’t try to sell it. Some people who tried to fill a tanker truck, got into trouble.
The well has existed for many years. It has been well-maintained. The weekly trip to the well may be routine, bu its is so worth the time, like a pilgrimage. The water from the well flows freely for any traveler who stops to take a drink. We hope the well will continue to provide this valuable treasure and natural resource.