THE WELL UP ON THE HILL

In years when I was growing up

we got our water from a well,

a hand dug spring up on the hill

where gravity propelled

the water through a length of pipe

from the hill down to our house

where we had a hand pump

that we often had to prime

to get the water flowing

to us through the line.

The water from the well up on the hill,

was so good I think divine,

always icy cold and fresh,

I think none was any better.

I mentioned this in later years and Dad smiled

saying it was good and there was none any wetter,

I think referring to the few times

while cleaning he got soaking wet

and well chilled to the bone

while making sure we had pure water

for our health and for our home.

There is nothing like fresh water,

pure, icy cold and clear

and that well up on the hill

served us well for many years.

Even in the heat of summer

when other wells ran dry,

it was the well up on the hill

that kept us in good supply.