Dances with Justice

winter approaches man and beast bringing
similar slow-down to movement that's hindered
by the weight of concrete calendars carried
in bodies that rise at the pace of the sun

her bed in the corner, an old futon mattress
and torn Coleman sleeping bag that survived years of travel,
gathers heat from the radiator, soothing sore hips,
keeping muscles from feeling the night's chill in hardwood

within the same room, across a brown, braided rug
sits a well crafted rocker with high padded back
the only seat left that relieves pained sciatic
aching its way through the wet autumn chill

on really bad days buffered aspirin and biscuits
lessen the limp in the quadruped's step
and the biped chews percocet
washed down with black coffee
while open palm offers glucosamine tablets

the trek of their daily routine holds salvation
binding friendship and need as they wander the waterway
finding juju that helps put the flow back in shanks;
like cold rubber bands postmen dropped in the snow
that crack and snap easy if stretched while frozen

wandering paths that network the Rumney
up & down hills, between trees throughout wetlands
two in recovery encourage each other
to keep up the pace and push out the stitch
settled in bones during vulnerable sleep

easier steps fill the homeward return
air feels less cold inside out of the wind
collar undone , coat and boots are removed
one guzzles coke while the other laps water

affection's exchanged; a tail wag and glance
muzzle gone gray finding beard of same shade
when kisses are placed on the face of her man
un-clipped ears soften under fingers that scratch
those hard to reach spots that elude fist-sized paws





-from a chap i'm working on of the same title
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- hey everyone, sorry I've been such a ghost;
hoping all is well for all in the well