In May’s unclouded light,

I walked my grief –

short leash heart-tethered

Cool blue breath against

my skin reverberating

with our paired gait’s

catch & swing

Strides synchronized

etched from fragrant air

Each, a pulse of beauty,

a tear shed for my own,

for the world’s suffering

Heart-leash short tethered

wending home again

On my doorstep –

patient, casting shadow

Nowhere to go, I let it in.

— C.Birde, 5/24