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
