Outdoor dogs. We used to laugh and joke about it.
Blow smoke about it, never doubted we were all about it.
You can keep your fancy chains, I like to lived my life unhinged.
And if I’m honest the claws are a little cringe. Bacteria riddled, not to mention.

Spend our days, howling at the moon, running through the fields.
Remember the time I lost my favorite shoes? While carrying you over the mud,
cause you didn’t want it to touch your new jeans?
Man, You always know who to send me.

Knocking on strangers’ doors, selling contracts without enthusiasm.
Mostly blocking ’cause who needs security, with friends like these?
What’s to fear when you rest assured on the foundation grounding?
Spending a season of Summer, laughing on strangers’ decks. Playing chess.
Learning communal secrets. And in my box, they will rest, treasured.
Pearls of great price in my hidden valley.

How about the fall we picked up trash as gypsies, and learned belly dancing?
Spending free time, victimless crimes of curiosity. I would apologize for instigating,
But your friendship was the fuel powering the operation, let’s be honest.
Jumping naked off bridges into rushing rivers, hopping on trains;
me, because I was insane, you because you’d never leave me hanging.
Such loyal friends to me, my fellow outdoor dogs, dawg,
I haven’t forgotten a single one of these.

Buying cigarettes from the convenience store at fifteen, thinking, they’re on to me,
and running the moment I reached the door, laughing, pretending anyone cared.
The G-hoodies, chilling behind the abandoned warehouse, on torn couches,
pretending to know anything, when really we were just having fun, living fully,
Expanding freely from moment to moment, to think,
that the best still lies ahead of me is humbling.

How about the college town, streaking harmlessly, it was midnight and we,
were a spirited sight to see, laughing, even the cops couldn’t keep a straight face.
I laugh and wink your way, because it’s nothing but a memory, someday,
For now, we are running, sprinting, and hiding for our freedom.
Young adults finding a way to play, hide and seek,
never forgetting the importance of fun to me.

The best is yet to come, this might not mean anything to some,
But for we outdoor dogs, it’s an ethos, a song we sing constantly,
glasses raised to eternity, grateful for the food and drink.
Not sure where the next might lead, but I overcome everything,
this promise whispered to me over the wind,
pretty sure it was sent in with my first breath,
And it’s been echoing through me with confidence since,
not even death can threaten it.

A rocket dog with dreams as big as his wings.
Space was the limit and in it, he is always swimming.
Leaving me and everything in it on the earth as he left it.
Behind each time flying too high to identify, still a sight to see.
An intellect far beyond me, a lesson to reckon with,
Indoor dogs can’t see me clearly…
But that doesn’t mean we can’t be besties.

I accept it fully. Thank you for this beautiful life expanding.
The view consuming me is breathtaking and new…
I surrender and fall into the blue.
Ready to meet the next face of YOU.