Arm yanked by taunt lead, br The dog heaves. br Youi replyi with unsteady feet. br br In the four years of our silence br a lion he has become br as you, his shadow br trail in the wake of his eagerness. br br Each morning, awaiting your clamber br at the base of the stairs br his new morning sense of bewilderment br begs with a tail br that swishes specks of dust- br dead butterflies dancing br your demise. br We skim stones down by the river br you fall short by three br the ripples from your stone br smooth out long before the muddy bank br I hated losing to you, jealous of your technique; br how easy it came to you, br each silent bounce of stone br upon water that hardly flinched. br br When we return to the house br You ask me to “put the kettle on” br Sinking into a chair br That welcomes you with a slight puff.