Crossing the road they trot
along the cul-de-sac
the two of them
until we reach the wooden steps
that take us down
to where the ditch
thanks to recent rains
is full again
the water barely flowing
under a canopy of firs and pines
the dogs are frisky
happy to be out
noses exploring the rich olfactory world
as for me my eyes are drawn
to where madrones
have hung their clusters
of pale orange berries
that shimmer in the dark
green of the foliage
the path beneath our feet
a brown mosaic
of oak leaves and fir needles
the air smells fresh with rain
and at this hour
no birdsong cuts the silence
now the dogs
are ready to turn back
they run ahead
leave me to trail behind