An Optimistic Poem About South Africa’s Water Crisis
Is there a hint of optimism concealed in South Africa’s water shortage crisis?
When drought brings about hope
Thinking back to my childhood
water was never a concern.
The communal tap supplied us daily –
we filled our buckets to the brim.
And as I quenched my thirst with freshly caught rain water
ice cold and refreshing
I did not even realise
that this was indeed a blessing.
Now the children learn from young
to value each and every drop.
No longer is it limitless –
at any time the supply can stop.
Yet, in this time of crisis
South Africans are coming together.
“Please, let rain fall from the sky”,
they pray to the Creator.
Sharing tips, sharing ideas
to make it last, this scarce commodity.
To the outsider this may even come across
as an obsession, or a bit of an oddity.
“Use bath water to water the garden
Close the tap while brushing your teeth
Put a brick in your toilet’s cistern
And defrost frozen foods in the fridge
If it’s yellow, let it mellow
Rinse dishes in a basin
Wash your car on the lawn
Cover the pool to avoid evaporation”
So while the drought disaster may cause fear
it also brings about a new form of appreciation.
It shows unity during hardship
and leaves me with hope for our rainbow nation
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Cover Photo Credit: dasroofless/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)