Bella

once on the common

she bounds off to get a head start

before her favourite ball

tumbles out of the sky

at the underpass she sits patiently

in the gold medal place

atop the three-step concrete podium

once used for dismounting a horse

successfully begging a treat

paw aloft

after half-heartedly showing 

the rabbits who’s boss in the meadow

she’s first up the metal railway bridge

twenty-seven up twenty-seven down

we’ve no grandchildren today

but we still force a reluctant wave

from the driver of an inter-city

as it gathers speed

the blackberries are over

the sloes just coming

and we take note

we’re careful over the mossy planks

the stream’s up, a blue/grey 

torrent from the clay

after yesterday’s downpour

snatching a silent apple break 

and a cold drink in the church yard

she’s busy sniffing the stones

as if counting them

doubling back for any she missed

first time around

no kingfisher again today

to tell the truth

we’ve only seen it twice

but still hope

*

© Graham R Sherwood 11/2021