Wet Paws

By Lakshana Gopinath

The sun strikes the shore

The morning blushed with glee

I feel my heart in delight

The cool damp sand protect my toes

As morning spreads wide, day softens slow

My friend whose luscious coat is kissed by sun

He darts through waves, ecstatic bliss is he

With every gentle woof, he teaches me glee

I feel it in the purest spun form with him

Side by side we move along the shore

His paw print on mine

The susurrations of the waves remind me, now and then

Of a love built out of longing

I look out at the horizon

I feel waves of gratitude wash over my feet

For this moment, so small, I feel great.

And here I stand barefoot in this embrace so sacred,

As the sun sings to start the world,

I find delight in all this union makes,

My heart united with my dog, under the bright sun

And silvering moon.

There I find all that's important: him, and me.

Within the echo of the laughter, within the fragrance of

warmth from your paw,

Endless gratitude finds me within the wonder of awe.

By Lakshana Gopinath