two men walking

as i walk down the pathway,

heading south, along
the creek

i run into a guy about as old
as i am.

he has a dog with him,
not on a leash.

but he's a good dog.
he listens
and obeys.
we start talking.

remember before the bridge?
remember

when the water rose up
to the fences?

remember this, and that.
we chat

the whole length of the walk.
no names.

no handshakes, but we connect
in some human
way

that's rare these days.
just a talk with two aging men,

through the woods, then home
again.