As the September Sun

As the September sun
   burned its way
   through the morning river mist,
each leaf and thick-grassed
   field and hummock 
   held the cherished drops
thirstily, preciously

Wet granite and slate
   grudgingly oozed 
   and seeped
their purchase
of yesterday’s late 
   night storm
No sandy soil here
   no permeable skin
   in this northwestern corner
   of New Jersey
But the rock heavy Kittatinny
pushes mountain stone
to early morning hiker’s boots
and wets the path 
for a treacherous climb