Shadows In the Park

Innocent days spent on the paths of Audubon Park. A dark silhouette trailing my steps; a body guard until a stick was thrown. Black tail flying in retrieval, proudly returning to lay it at my feet. Shadow was followed by his own silhouette when he chased squirrels up the nearest oak tree. Moss laden oaks, grown nearer the clouds since then. Their towering forms black wraiths, monoliths - painting the road in front of me. In my mind I am running with Shadow, waiting for my gifts of sticks. He's barking and chasing squirrels until I say, "Come on, boy. Let's go home." Innocent days were untouched by sorrow. I haven't walked those paths or visited that park since the day my Shadow could no longer follow me. February 16th, 2016