My evening walk I now do alone.
The grass has grown back
where you used to roam.
Wet kisses no longer cover my face.
Brown eyes no longer
watch me with grace.
I am not woken at the first crack of light.
You do not follow me
upstairs at night.
Your leash hangs in the closet like stone.
My evening walk I now do alone.

-April Bauer

198? - 1997