Morning Water

The words really do mesh. Morning first. Either by requirement, or habit, or genetics, I start the day just before the promise of bright light. My mother had the sidewalk swept and the house ready for company soon after her feet hit the floor. No teenager could be caught sleeping in a bed right off the living room. Ingrained habit: eyes open, get up. (I was in demand as a co-counselor at camp to greet early risers and serve coffee as needed.) By the time I made it to the kitchen, my parents had emptied the first pot of coffee and were ready to move out before the heat set in.

In south Louisiana there is a magical moment, especially in the summer time when the air still has a hint of coolness and if you walk barefoot across the grass, your toes can collect moister from the dew. That’s also the moment to check the sky and water against the possibility of no rain that day. Before sprinklers, we had faucets at each compass side of a square house. Attached to the faucets was a long green hose coiled precisely. Hoses are like Christmas lights. One false move and untangling is the next demand before use. Most mornings, especially in August, mother soaked the azaleas to help them survive. These were the senses touched by the process. The light that still cast flat shadows. The rhymic patter of drops falling on the ground and the side of the house, releasing an ozone smell as they fell. Birds fluttering in for an early drink. Now, I set my sprinkler to run early and sometimes open the door to check. Watered yes, magical no. The sidewalks are already drying in rising heat and no final steps are waiting for painstaking preparation for another morning’s care.

Drought is a dismal word. It denotes not only a current problem, but also predicts trouble in the future. Very light “scattered showers” have reached my back yard all week long. I’m sustained by a memory and a promise. Job 38 reminds me that not by any effort on my part, I have been given mornings. The Bible was written in a language I can’t read, so I’m glad The Message has God speaking firmly to Job. ” “Have you ever ordered Morning (Get Up!) Told Dawn (Get to work!)” Once up, I do what I can and wait for the promise.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.

Isaiah 44:3