Following Shadow

The light was fading, almost gone,

when from a car it came.

A scruffy dog, alone, forlorn,

it didn't know my name.

But three whole blocks, it kept its pace,

a steady, soft-pawed stride.

It never pushed into my space,

just stayed there, at my side.

Its head was low, its eyes would lift,

then drop away from mine.

A question hung, a quiet gift,

a tenuous, silent sign.

What do you do with something new,

that chooses you, unbid?

I reached my door, and turned into

the place where I was hid.

It watched me, then it simply went,

back into the street.

A brief, soft, shared predicament,

bitter and also sweet.