One of my great joys has always been
Walking with my dog, my best fur friend
Since childhood, this peaceful jaunt
Is my simple pleasure
In synch we walk, me and breast
Trekking trails among the trees
Checking things out, making sure all is well
Enjoying God’s creation
Our favor place to walk is deep
Down within the woods by creek
A great rock out in water sits
The perfect destination
Circled by peaceful ripples while
Surrounded by living wild things
Warmed by sunshine
Content and together we sit
But now we’re kept
Away from rock by
New neighbors who block
All available woodland paths
Pleading fell on deafness
So now we walk amongst the cars
In treeless heat on asphalt strip
bereft of nature’s beauty
Longing to revive our woodland bliss
Reviled by people’s unwillingness
To share the beauty of the land
With neighbor and doggie friend
We try another possibility to go
A longer way to our rock
Public easement, should be no block
Or so I thought
The homeowner there is obtuse
with two big dogs immune to
Invisible fence running right through
Attacking me and Reggie
Instead of taking dogs inside
He yells at me and chided
Me for coming along this way
Cursed us shamefully
Completely landlocked
Dependant upon kindness
Sad but even worse
Learned my neighbors are perverse
All I want is a peaceful walk
With my best friend dog
I came in peace but left in pain
I may not get to rock again
Susan Smoter - October 11, 2023