Hope Spring Eternal

In the past when the rains stopped

The world put its hand to its mouth in shock.

Young and old sought new homes

New pastures told of new seeds sown.

And built upon and tilled the land

And willed life from skilled hands

Roots search deep, crops grow high

Shoots dare greet the bittersweet sky.

The changing climate pressures earth

With scant regard for human worth

Once more the long walk and bodies immerse

In unclean water unfit for thirst.

Let us rise to the challenge, let us stand tall

If a future is for one, it must be for all

Let the aged flourish and water nourish birth

And hope spring eternal and sing from the earth.

Poem courtesy WaterAid