I hadn’t walked by the creek with a dog
in a very long time. But today,
one came along and reminded me
what they know: Immediacy.
That’s it. No labels. None of this
“grass” “leaf” “creek” “tree” stuff.
And forget judgments, about caring
whether it’s hot or cold, hard or soft,
dry or wet. It’s all motion, all
a gigantic shifting of ever-delicious
data pouring in through mouth,
eyes, ears, nose, feet, skin, hair.
Every bit of it your favorite.
Every bit of it singing your name.