Cascading waters filled the gorge,
And shadowy dawn still wrapped its edge,
When first I saw a slender girl
Kneeling on the rocky ledge.
She held a graceful earthen jar
And watched the plunging waters skim
Its sides, then spiral through the mouth
And fill it, bubbling, to the brim.
She swung it to her kerchiefed head
And lightly stepped beneath the trees,
Where sun and shadow decked the jar
With bands of dancing olive leaves.
O lovely girl, your graceful mien
Has won my heart, as beauty will,
Your easy stride and clear-eyed gaze
Have prompted me again to fill
My empty jar with crystal streams
Of inspiration from above,
To lift the precious burden up
Into the sunlight of God's love.
About me lies a thirsting world
Awaiting surcease from its ills.
May I hold high the healing gift
And walk with grace among its hills.
