Or are they walking me?
it's hard to tell
but anyway we're off into the trees
that line the little creek across the road
they're old now
not the pups they used to be
but eager still to sniff the woodland floor
for scent of squirrel
signs of other dogs
how would it be to live
as they do through the nose
I once came a step closer
thanks to mushrooms
the fragrance of pine needles so intense
it left no room for thoughts or words
only the smell of pine
filling the vacant space
that must have been as close
as I have come
to a dog's world
and still a world or two away
now the dears are taking me
back up the path
with lolling tongues
ready to head for home