Dog And Man
Above the muddy field, near the ridge
The track tracing along the skyline
Silhouettes two figures slowly wandering
Each waiting upon the other
Stopping to stare, to listen
Then ambling along untroubled
With no particular place to go
Nor anything to rush back for
The man, in mac and cap,
Well-wrapped against the cold and damp
Slightly stooped, leaning upon his stick
Coughs occasionally, pulls up his scarf,
A shambling gait making slow progress
Snaking through fields, along the paths
Towards the wood and the dripping trees
His canine companion
Unfettered by lead or collar
Walks steadily beside his master
Step for step, stop for stop
Shadowing his movements
Never more than a few yards away
With rheumy eyes, aching joints,
Matted coat and long-life tiredness
He too has known better days
But plods along the well-known route
A thousand times walked
Darting rabbits and hares provoke no reaction
Desiring only the love of his Man
Whose word or gentle gesture
Is enough to bring him to his side
And gently scan that weathered face
Seeking his usual reassurance
With their regard for one another
Hard-gained, long-deserved
And aches and pains ignored
They reach the gate, stare across the valley
And through murky mist can just make out
An oft-seen pair of ghosts -
The figures of a young man in shirtsleeves
Running alongside a bounding dog
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