My friend has not been very well
He has a condition which affects his teeth
He has had all but six removed
And they may not last
A few days after his operation we went for a walk
The same walk we had took when I was 14 years younger
And him also, being a pup at the time
We walked through a field
Through a small wood
And up to the top of a fair hill
And I was full knowing he was with me
Walking slower than he once had
Much slower than the first time
We took the walk
Then at the top of the hill we sat
Him nudging my pocket where I would usually keep a ball
“Not now lad” I said
At home he tried to pick up a favourite toy
And had been unable to
Melancholy took over me
I wondered how many times we would get to do this walk
Lost in anxious thoughts
I felt something roll into my hand
Toby had found a ball we must have lost months
If not years before and he had picked it up and given it to me
Something he never does
And he looked at me and I heard words
Words that were and never will be said
We are here together now
We walked a long way to get here
You are here with me
I am still here with you
And I love you
You miserable bastard
Now throw the goddamn ball
