we walk the long hill
a ritual of 18 years
our constitutional, she says
the dog leads as usual
sniffing the outdoors
as he runs ahead
when there’s a gap
he stands in the middle
weighing his loyalty
a hunter stops his car
hunting’s on — put an
orange collar on him
of course, he’s right
although the white lab
doesn’t resemble a deer
we talk about telling stories,
a talent she envies as she recalls
her animated sister-in-law
what is my story?
she wonders as we round a
corner to go to the artist’s house
this is your story I tell her
this hill and this day
and this ritual walk
Marilyn Mazur
The beauty of nature in Vermont always inspires me. In every season, there is something to write about and enjoy.