WALKING

By mhalperin

Mon, 23 Feb 2015

This poem was inspired by the times we pass individuals and never see them.

I choose to rise early and walk the dog

Listening to my knees, my ankles keeping time

With the ticking of my dog’s paws.

My muscles feel noble stretching,

Propelling, pushing me in summer heat.

T-shirt clinging to my chest and back,

Tiring me under winter’s pall,

My breath emptying in the cold.

On each excursion I see her.

She smiles “good morning” in an accent

Recalling humid skies and fluorescent flowers.

Years ago she walked briskly up the hill

Now her steps come closer, curbed by age,

Arrested by time, burdened by her shopping bag

Overflowing with yesterday’s hopes.

Her eyes smile at my dog who bounces up for greeting.

We pass knowing our ritual goes on

Today, tomorrow, the next day.

I choose to rise early and walk my dog.

She, whose name remains secret,

Walks the hill day-by-day

Leaving behind warm skies and bright flowers.