Poems

Walking companions

Her boundaries have shrunk
like withering skin
as she slows her pace, and mine.
Gone our treks up sandy hill
burrows for exploring
squirrels for chasing
pools for cooling.
I’m not ready to withdraw,
to close the door to the heath
but her life has become
a never ending search
for scented delights
beyond my reach or understanding.
We pause; she catches her breath.
I’d like the need to catch mine
but I stroke her back,
she wags her tail
and together we return home.