The Reward

It is dark, smells strong, a forest floor under my feet I stumble, no light, can’t be seen, a little fear, anxious yes I am young, too young for this, my heart pounds surely too loud Eyes dart left to right, seeing shapes, inventing things unreal but in my head I am cold, I shiver, will this night ever close, I yearn for the dawn light, bringing a warmth I also fear this moment, I lose my shadow self, my hidden purpose, to be exposed If only I held back, but my heart refused, my head said NO! heart won A sudden noise, I drop with silence, then a shape comes to me I try to shrink to hide to fade, a body falls and lays before me A tongue touches my face, a silent dark greeting She has found the child she tells me, pleased I crawl and follow we crest a mound Slide to the little hovel, and there There is the child soon returned to parents with joy As I gather him to me and we slide away through the dark, my girl at my side Ears ready, nose searching, tail lifted, she is happy, awaiting a treat when we get back A dog biscuit is such sweet reward Bosnia 1994