On reflection, water is the pure union
of two gases – the one fiery in temperament,
the other, perfectly suited as the environment
of flame! – and far from mutual annihilation
their torrid nuptials might cause to forebode
they turn into a mist that trickles down,
and tasteless and odourless paints the town
with nature’s living colours, life in code
to unravel there to the nth degree,
and in unbelievable volume move
serene, master of depth and range to prove,
even up to the sky, over the sea.
The nature of water reflects the nature
of God, sweet, life-giving, at a stroke
the destroyer, its need to invoke
on many an arid orbiting sphere.
