THE GATHERING

Beneath the wild Acacia

a village gathers as one
to form a human chain
and dredge a dead lake bed

A dry expanse sits before them
parched and cracked with skin upturned
open wounds releasing memories 
of precious drops from a forgotten shower

A cloud burst from the recent past 
that soaked the earth until 
it could not contain the collected tears
and they overflowed in all directions

And everyone cried as they cried today
for the unwanted heavenly plenty
And now they try before they cry again
to wake a lake which is empty

So braving the April sun they sit

and toil and sweat in collective action
moving dirt that will save their loved ones

The lives of their daughters and sons

And all the while the unseen hand
plays out the grand game of wizard chess
kings and queens getting replaced

while pawns are meant to be sacrificed