We are out for a walk in the forest,
Dog and me.
I obediently walk the path.
She, preferring the untrod way,
Bounds through the underbrush.
This companionship of ours
Is a loosely constructed thing.
Dog bounds off, out of sight
Eagerly pursuing the unseen in the forest’s depth.
I scuff the leaves along the path,
Alone, yet, accompanied.
Leaving the forest I climb a hill,
A mountain in a sea of prairie.
Resting against a warm stone
I find dog’s eyes begging.
I rub her ears.
She wags her tail.
The wind caresses my cheek.
Standing, we eye the open field.
Dog looks at me with anticipation
And we are off!
Racing down the hill,
Tumbling over ourselves with joy,
For life!
For movement!
For companionship!
Then, dog runs off again.
I walk on alone,
Accompanied.
Back at my cottage, dog is there
Wagging the porch off.
Sitting on the step together
Her head on my lap,
We are one.
S.G. Hope
