Tag Sound

A little jingle, down the block,

a metal chime, a sudden shock.

Just someone walking, I know it's true,

but my breath caught, from out the blue.

It was his sound, that happy clink,

made my old dog's presence shrink

the distance. The heavy weight,

of his soft head, by my worn gate.

His fur, wet earth, and summer sun,

a quiet loss, when day was done.

That tag sound brought it back to me,

the ache of missing, sharp and free.