Poems come from all kinds of places. This one is the result of a visit to our good friend Sarah Flynn. Her late husband, Dave Ellis, made the painting that is on the front page of my blog. Sarah had just acquired a new dog from The Dog’s Trust and we were witnessing her settling in. The following day, we texted to check how the night went. The text that Sarah sent by way of reply simply demanded a treatment. So here it is. Read, share, enjoy and let me know what you think.

Woke at seven thirty

breakfast for two followed

by forty-minute walk

slowed by investigation

all territory re-marked

in the usual manner.

House restructured

to accommodate

needs of new friend, water

plants, a social

event that includes

repeated marking.

First rest of the day

needed to recover

from morning outburst

then immediately

short trial separation

first test of commitment.

Fifteen minutes later

anxious expectant eyes

greet from the other

side of the front door

a great relief all round

reunion a happy one.

Noises provoke a few

barks, new security

in place, the contract sealed.

Peter Clarke

8^th July 2018