a cynical eye glimpses
down into the barrel
terrified at first
what to find at the bottom
there was a great quake
a thundering shudder
of such mighty shakes
hands slips on the rusted rims
leaving traces of red imprints
where fingers ran
up and down sharp cheeks
and across the forehead
dusted with coat of hope
this barrel since looked down into
speaks without wanting to
a barrel full of water
left forgotten amidst trees and garden
lush greens and rainy skies
leaving paths muddy to tread
yet stumble on, keep the hood up
a jacket zipped too, to keep the warmth in
the barrel of water, glimpse down
down and down
a mirror, water so still
the raindrops can't even ripple
the face set in stone