Hot Water

We moved out here with great promise.
It was no sacrifice.
That is, not today.

There were no tears shed, no unfulfilled agreements.
And nothing was broken.

A fresh start.
A new beginning.

Once settled in, we discovered that there was no hot water.

These expectations are great.
For they cast grand illusions.

We all had plenty of cold running water.
Out here, in this vast western desert.

In this modern day mecca, we satisfy ourselves more by settling for less.

The days got longer, like this; for the rest of our lives.
I don't know how to change.

Do you have enough money?

Can you afford to stop growing?

Wealth is powerful enough to make everything legitimate again.
It also makes the water hotter, on a winters' day.
It makes the air cleaner on a muggy day.

Now, who do you know?

A willing public waiting for so very long in line.
Waiting for manna from heaven again.
Like in the olden days.

Our day is gonna come?

But we sons of the pioneers who travel this information highway should by now, live better than this.

From each according to his need.
To each according to his need.

Just the bare essentials, please.

We work for our keep - our daily bread.

Then they promoted, and celebrated, when they finally put up the, "Hot Water, free with rent" sign downtown.
What we didn't see was the selfish pride behind the sign. I guess it was another 'impossible' dream made real.
I hope they won't knock themselves over, patting themselves on the back.
One more notch in their press book.
One more feather in their hat.

I watched it all, and thought, 'How separate, but equal we still are'.

Back home, the 'hot' water ran only two minutes, with a drop in pressure, and it had a very musty smell.
But you can purchase an upgrade for only...

What do I have to pay for today?


We use this land. We are not fearful of work.



Out on this toll road, I'm free.
But I still seek the best things in life.


Will there be enough for all of us?