Water

My old friend
And young nephew
Both leave our group to
Return to the trailhead over
The mountain while we follow the
River both at about 9,000 feet up in
The Gila Wilderness, days later safe
In camp together again we hear of
Their thirst with only a small pond
Covered with scum inches deep
Which they scooped out and
Put in a dirty sock to wring
Out some drinking water
Then at dusk heard the
Sound of running water
From the river far
Below out of any
Reach which
Motivates
Them to
Toss
Their packs
Over the cliff edge
Onto the rock shelf below
Then drop into the dark to do
The same again shelf to shelf all
The way to water as thirst is a
Powerful desire but they were
Lucky to get down with no
Broken bones or pulled
Muscles only some
Bruises and our
Laughter at
The dirty
Sock
Aperitif.