I go slowly
in the forest
at night.

barefoot
under old suns,
with cool earth,
and the quiet.

or mostly quiet.
here she comes crashing
back onto the dirt trail,
heavy happy panting.

the dog
drops her stick near my toes.
this wild desire to seek and find,
to hunt for what she has
in the trees and brush,
I can't ignore
standing below the canopy.

so again,
I take then throw
and she’s off into the dark.
the joyful noise
of footfalls echoing out
to leaves and air.