poetry

tradeoffs

Still from a KDVR Fox31 report on the smoky taste to Superior's water from January 20, 2022.

tradeoffs

to drink from the reservoir
means to taste ash
from the two foot drifts
that ring its shore

to drink from the pipe
means to taste pure nothing
but to drink nothing
when there’s maintenance on the line

to scrub the reservoir water
means to taste pure nothing
but to suffer rashes from the chemicals
when you or your children bathe

to dredge the reservoir
means to mostly drain it
spreading the ashy water
to the other ponds in town

to drink from Louisville’s water
means to taste pure nothing
and keep healthy skin
but beg from a neighbor
whose patience may strain

to not drink
means to die