The Water Witch

A surprising number believe in this hoax.

The Water Witch

 

By Elton Camp

 

Perhaps “dowser” is a preferable name,

But the two are actually just the same

Men who had this power weren’t weird

They were respected rather than feared

 

They sincerely believed they could tell

The very best place to dig or drill a well

And the key to the water witching trick

Was to cut a fresh, forked hickory stick

 

The tip was pointed up toward the sky

On its turning down the man did rely

The dowser held it as he walked about

That he could find water he didn’t doubt

 

When it went down toward the ground

He said, “This is the best spot around.

Drill your well on this very spot here,

That you won’t find water never fear.”

 

There is no way dowsing could be true

With a diving rod, the same I could do

Because I very quickly came to learn

Change the tension.  The stick would turn

 

Water is in the ground most everywhere

It matters little if you drill here or there

Well was dry?  On dowser ‘twas rough

His ruse:  “You didn’t go deep enough.”

 

To trust dowsing, there is no reason why

Some people seem to need to believe a lie

I expect that some reviewer will come to say

“You are just so wrong.  It works that way.”