A few lines 
and some jokes 
a pic or
two a couple 
of teasing taunts 
and we’re off
to the races 
side by side 
running the lane
like two dogs
one bigger lumbering 
one smaller scampering 
all the while 
barking and jumping 
just being the 
goofs we are 

I don’t really 
miss anything for 
the everything that 
I have is
enough I do 
remember many things 
with tremendous fondness 
but in order 
to miss one 
must be without 
and I am 
not without anything 
I am whole 
and beautifully complete 

Slow slowly slower
still the clock
ticks and the 
heart mimics time 
so fast so 
fast it ran
like a dog 
looking for its 
tail but now 
like a lake 
that tickles shore
bringing foam and 
little polished trinkets 
this old heart
sees stoops and 
scoops up memories 
like tiny trinkets 
of life lived
and love lost 

The sun bathes
downtown buildings orange 
like I’m staring 
into a once 
burning camp fire 
seeing the embers 
breathe last breath 
surrounded by the 
ashes of mountains 
and I remember 
just moments before 
this very thing 
the nervousness of 
that very first 
of so many 
that then followed 

Playful now 
is all
I seek
for serious 
I’ve had 
and the 
grind of
same has
worn down 
this heart
to smooth