Classic Poem

Ja-Nez — burro with the long ears —
Come with me to the water hole.
I will fill the kegs with water
And you will carry them home.
Down the crooked trail,
Through the deep hot sand,
Past the fragrant pinon trees,
Winding this way, winding that way,
Do not step into the cactus.
Now I wade into the water
Where it is clearest; I dip and pour.
While you drink I fill the kegs.
They are heavy as I lift them to your back again.
Now we wander through the cactus,
Past the fragrant trees,
Up the sandy trail, winding slowly.
At the hogan my mother sees
Us coming home with water.