My dog & I set out
for a mountain lake
ringed by pine trees.
There were ducks
preening in the water.
Some of them quacked.
They sounded happy.
My dog lapped the lake
with her tongue.
Splash is a language.
A trout nearby
jumped to join
the conversation.
A pink woman
with blue tattoos
& a panting dog
passed us on the trail.
The dogs gave a sniff.
I held my breath.
I love the smell of forest.
Have a nice day.
I waved to an old man
fishing from the shore
without a hat.
