Faded Away

Faded away— and all that is left is the shape of it— the memory. Brown leaves lightly disturbed in their cold deathbeds by your black paws— ears lifted—slanted forward. Your eager stride out of the black shroud and to your mournful friend. Staircase races—laughs— my own laughs— and your innocent eyes and your crooked tail. It is foolish that you should fade like the leaves that you tiptoed through. I hope the darkness has left you, and that you still stride bravely toward the light of all you love.