Dog Walk

On the dog path, it is the straight and narrow.

Choices are easy, turn left, turn right, or break tradition

By starting in the middle and doing two loops.

Each walker, each dog follows the rhythm of the day.

We nod and smile and laugh at our pets,

Who know one another in their doggy ways.

The humans are acquaintances, not friends.

Away from the path they have made more difficult choices.

Some carry regrets as heavily as their back packs.

Others walk tall in the wind or rain or sun

Undeterred by their other lives, off this striped path,

Taking chances, walking in zigzags, looking up and around,

Fearless.