There is an open path of grass
At the far end of our park
It stretches out, its stretches far
Enough to cover your world.

On the cold winter’s day, when we go there
You leading me by your lead
I stop to wonder before we leave the path
A sudden concern grasps me.

But I let it pass and we enter the patch
And you hop and skip happily
But when you’re caught by your restraint
Some of that goes away.

So we walk some time, me grappling with the thought
My eyes on you, the thought on me
And I regard the patch, so green and wide
Even on this cold winter’s day.

So I swallow my fears and call you to come
Unclip you and set you free
And there you pounce, your joy unleashed
Some of those fears go away.

But then you escape, you run too far
And those clutches resume iron grip
And just when I’m ready to shout for help
You turn to look at me

You stop in place and wait some time
And I look at you from afar
A spirit so happy, so free from this place
In the land that makes your world.

But can you be too free? run and get lost
In the perils of ruthless fate?
When I see you all bare, exposed to all chance
I want to catch you and lock you away.

But I know that such steel, all safe from all chance
Is cold and painful to the touch
And when those bars are borne past many years
They move themselves deep inside.

And after I fear you’re gone, all escaped till death
I see you return to glee
You bolt from stone and prance my way
Where you jump gaily into me

And in your touch
Some joy spills out
And we conquer that cold winter’s day.

19.I.24