THE HEART OF NOW

This morning, I headed to

the woods as I do each morning

without a single thought of

accomplishing anything in

my mind, and why should I?

My dog, always eager for

a walk, doesn’t ever

imagine some future delight,

but lives headlong into

unknowable possibilities

of joy with a reckless disregard

of order or propriety.

She refuses the press

of anxiety that seems to wait

for us at every crossroads,

holding her head high

to catch what the wind brings,

facing the heart of now

with a glad intention

that lightens my soul with

something like a song.