Holler

Warm days from sunshine rays makes her happy.
Birds sing, her choir, her glory. Bees hover over clover.
A step light and airy.
Over grass, by sweet hedgerows, a bearded dog
sniffs around, examines a log. Squirrels take flight, in fright
breaking free, eyes agog.
Sneaky moves of self-preservation. Teasing smells.
A tongue pants, ears like bells, his tail waves, betrays
his excitement as it swells.
Where would she be without her pooch, her whiny Tim,
his loyal eyes full to the brim with words to her,
her alone, her kith and kin.
Fresh air calls them away from the house. Locked in,
locked out, and about, a rattling tin. Patience a gift, Covid a rift,
adrift, where do I begin.
Beardy knows no stories of woe, senses change
in her, moods have a certain range, calm, raging impassibility
in a life turned strange.
A walk does them good, their legs stretched, tensions a flight.
Willows weep, hog weed flout, dandelions grout, and lilies
spout, coloured petals bright.
Home again, time to lay down his head slip his collar
Don’t have her holler. Come to me, run to me
she croons, my favourite follower.