On Winter's Solstice, 2016

Leashed and seated Finny waits while I knot my scarf and fetch my stick

This Winter Solstice eve We disappear down sidewalks shoveled and sidewalks slick

The day’s wind transformed Our morning tracks into frozen divots in our otherwise untraversed park

The season’s angled light projects Leaf etchings across snow, a farewell to sapling spring, shaded summer, and new ring under bark

Unleashed and crouching, Finn stalks herds of pear leaves tumbling low and tumbling east

Clumsy paws reaching, Finn pounces, chews, then flips his offering skyward at this midwinter feast

Satisfied and trotting, We circle home up sidewalks dark and sidewalks slick

Inside and tail wagging, Finn waits for praise while I hang my scarf and hang my stick

Jeffry Osborne Tar © 22 Dec 2016