Labrador

122. 9 November 2021

I stand by the Bay, fewer boats now,

The boats have gone into hibernation on the land,

Sleeping in rows, clacking their masts as they dream.

The sky is streaked with orange and red and pink

With a line of black clouds boiling up the sea.

The gulls wheel overhead, the pigeons thrum.

All so ordinary, repetitious, normal, precious.

I am struck to the heart by it, start to weep.

*

Along comes a black Labrador, Nelly by name,

With her person. She puts her paws on the wall,

Peers over to see what I’m staring at.

Is there food? Maybe a ball? A stick?

Yes! A ball floating out of reach on the water.

No wonder I smell upset!

Satisfied, she trots off with her person, heading

For the ramp and her morning swim.

She’ll get the ball.

***

Nelly is the adorable dog of one the the local beach fans.

I can’t swim at the moment which makes me sad. So I’d like a coffee to cheer me up.