Dirt Roads

Dirt road, springtime

Air wet with snow

Evaporating,

Roads soft,

Like new petals.

Girl, brown hair

Pony tail

Chocolate eyes

Kissing at the corners

Running shoes,

A year and a half old

Black with a pink stripe.

Soft steps, soft mud

Winding road

From the white clapboards

And new painted blue window frames

And old yellow adirondack chairs

Down the valley.

Dog on the porch

Of the house down the road

Yellow clapboards

He guards the hibernating garden

With his black eyes

Like starry night skies.

Long steps

Following

The rhythm of endless playlists

In her earbuds.

Barking,

Louder than the playlists,

Past the earbuds.

She slips them out into

Her pocket

Steps slower

Smaller,

Pausing.

His steps bounce

Off the porch

Curls flying

Water flying

Mud flying

Towards her

He slows,

Circles her rubs his paws

To her legs.

Chestnut,

C’mere.

Sorry ‘bout him,

I should bring ‘im in,

Shouldn’t I?

The lady calls

From the green door,

White hair

Piled up with a pink clip.

The dog stays

Rubbing the girls leg,

Starry night eyes saying

You won’t make me leave.

Chestnut,

Let’s go bud,

Pink black shoes and curly muddy paws

Padding in the mud

To the door.

Sorry ‘bout that

It’s alright,

Pink and black shoes rock

Back

Forth

He’s sweet,

Thanks, and thanks for

Bringing her back.

The dog stays

Curled, unfurling

Slowly not wanting to leave

The girl’s side

Are you the girl 

From down the street?

Yeah,

I’m Becca.

Rock back

Forth

I’m Susan.

Hopefully I’ll see you around.

Flat feet.

You too.

Smile.