Look at the dried earth
Hardened, so that water only
Sits on its crusted surface
It will take months of
Above-average rainfall
To restore the depleted reserves
That lie far, far underground
It is only gradually that fluid
Can be absorbed, softening
The ground into a place
Where things once again can grow
It takes so much gentle healing
To recover from a scorching summer:
Nourishment, patience, and time
So why would you expect
Your own heart to be any different?
Note: Inspired by an email from Thames Water explaining why the current housepipe ban cannot yet be lifted. Although we have had 100cm of rain in October, only 6cm have been added to the deep reserves.
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash