The Woman at the Well

Men!
Ruined my life they had.
All of them.
Each in their own way.
All they did was
take,
take,
take.
The world would be better off
without them.
That’s my view.
Mind you,
the world would be better off
without some women too;
pointing at me;
laughing at me;
sneering behind my back.
I know they do.
At least I can get some peace
while I go for
water.
No one else
will be there
at this time.

Oh!
I can see someone sitting
at the well.
But I can’t go back,
not now I’m nearly there.
Never mind
words can’t hurt.
And I’ve heard it all before.

Oh no!
It’s a man.
With any luck
he’ll ignore me.
I’ll just get
the water
and be gone.

He’s asked me
for a drink.
Say it slowly –
He
has asked
me
for a drink.
I’ll have to reply.

This isn’t bad really
although I hate to admit it.
He’s not like the others;
not like anyone else
at all.
I’m quite enjoying this.
It’s so long
since I had a real conversation
with anyone.
And he’s treating me like
I matter.
Him!
A man!

He’s saying some
fantastic stuff,
all about
living water.
If it had been anyone else
I would have laughed
but
there is something about him.
I want to know more.
I want this water,
whatever it is.

It’s getting a bit too
personal now.
He asked me to call
my husband.
I told him
I hadn’t got one.
Why did I do that?
What’s it got to do with him?
And yet
I wanted him to know.
But it seemed
that he already knew.
Who is he,
this strange,
compelling
man?

I want to know
I really do want to know.



He says
he is the Christ.
Say it slowly.
He says
he is
the Christ.

I need to get away.
I need to think.
I need to tell
someone,
anyone,
everyone.
Never mind
if they think I’m mad.
I don’t care.

His friends are coming.
I’ll go now.
But I’ll come back
whether others come with me
or not.
I’ll have to come back.
I’ll have to know more
about
this man.


© Kathleen Wilks