every day i walk
through the field
where Jack and I
would exercise ⚾
neighborhood dogs
who were free enough
arrived to play too
in their personal ways

now every day
this walk is without
Jack and i without
his large woof
pass through the green
far too silently
to call the others

but it doesn't stop them:
they still come leaving
little gifts almost
every day in the field
   play carries on
and i can only imagine
what fun must be had

i have learned
bodies teach
lessons often
without warning
   fundamental
   personal
truths we cannot ignore
though we may
try for a while

so the question for
the instruments we arise
   from within
cannot be asked, only
listened to in silence:

with all the limbs
   let go
of sight and sound
only to be felt
   and allowed
   to modify
how must we will
   fearlessly

a child's mind
discovers itself
as its own name
almost selfishly,
suddenly even
   I am Mark
and realizing this
carves his name
onto a vehicle
for all to know

including dad, who
seeing it swiftly
corrects such self-
centered arrogance

leaving it bare,
exposed to us all
   for shame
to be remembered