Around the Ditch

Unforced Movement
Moving without trying to improve anything.

Went out walking
before another late spring snow storm hits.

I decided on the trail
that goes around the big ditch
behind the houses.

At one fence,
a small dog came running
up and down,
barking hysterically,
hackles up.

At the end of the fence,
in the same style
as a serious security sign,
it said,
“Chihuahua Security Patrol.”

I laughed.
He did his job well.

I walked on
and decided to take the street
toward home,

instead of the no-trail area
behind the water company
barbed wire fence.

As I came around,
I found myself
at the end of the church parking lot,

near the outdoor
prayer area
they had constructed.

I came here frequently
when my sister
was recovering
from cardiac bypass surgery.

Not really to pray.

More for the peaceful feeling
it gives.

There’s a wooden crucifix
in the ground,
some pavers,
and a bench
in dedication
of someone I never knew.

It overlooks
the south end
of my community.

Today,
there was a bouquet of flowers
wrapped in plastic
from Whole Foods,

laying at the base
of the cross.

The leaves were brown.
The flowers wilted
and dried out.

I wondered
why the wind
did not blow them away.

Then I headed
along the path
near the church playground.

I had wondered
for a year
how to get my grandkids
in there
if they came to visit.

Today I realized
the playground
is much too young
for them anyway.

It made me sad
and proud
at the same time.

It was a good walk.