Goodbye to those active
dogs of the young years
happy or, perhaps, thirsty
smiling with tongues who insisted
I chase them up steepening hills;
So long to uncautious
friends with their fast legs
who loved me much sometimes
if I was panting behind them
if I couldn't quite catch them
until I fell down exhausted
which they took for their leave
to leave me behind.
--June 11, 2000