I walk the dog to hide my shame

to make me forget where I am

to mask the fears I harbor inside.

I walk the dog to feel brave

to look like I have it together.

Marabel pleads with her eyes

and pace from the door to me

“I gotta go,” she says,

“So do you.”

Leash fastened, I follow her

out the door into the world

that has done me great wrong

and I lose myself in Marabel

watching her sniff

letting her pull me

into her world

where the familiar is fresh and new

where wonders never cease.

She relieves herself

without regard to who is watching

and goes on

knowing she has done nothing

but what dogs do.

I forgot how to be me

so I walk the dog to

make me get out of bed

face the world that spat on me

I walk the dog to live.

© D.L. Lunsford