Life can feel like
walking for miles
in a desert
under a harsh sun

throat dry
lips cracked
holding onto saliva
with hope fading
with every step

You begin to wonder
if relief was ever real
if it would ever come
the way you imagine
and wish for
in that every moment

Then suddenly
water surfaces
cool, quiet
touching your lips
like life being birthed

And in that moment
hope returns
like it never left
reminding you
that the journey
was never meant
to end in thirst

Mariam Shittu

This poem was inspired by a statement I heard while listening to a podcast last week. The host talked about how life moves in ebbs and flows and used the example of thirst. When you are extremely thirsty and haven’t had water for a while, it can feel almost unbearable, like you might not make it through the moment. But once you drink water, everything settles again and your body feels restored. I love how anything at all can inspire a poem. I hope this one moved you and reminded you that hope is never truly lost.