Water’s Utility
‘Water, water, everywhere, nor any
Drop to drink.’ Rain falls freely to earth,
Yet water is not free; so what is it worth?
A fortune to a water company,
Feeling free to pollute rivers and lakes
With sewage in all its variety,
Product of our effluent society.
Consumers pay the bill, while capital takes
The dividends. So, what nature provides
Becomes a commodity by and by,
To profit those who’ll control the supply
As long as capitalism abides.
‘Nor any drop to drink’ safe to say
Unless the drinker can afford to pay.
D. A.