Neglect

Three days ago the fountain gushed
   With sweet and holy water;
She stopped and knelt to wet her lips --
   A townsman's pretty daughter.

The rushing waters fled downhill,
   But grudging sips she swallowed;
Ignored, resentful, tired at last,
   The gushing's now unhallowed.

She comes again, she kneels again,
   Again her lips are parted;
But only bitter water comes
   From fountains broken-hearted.

4 Nov 1993