Reasons
Wet as brown pebbles elderly faces
daily parade, jackets held
tightly below capped heads, woolly
clad chests, pets on leads
lifting up legs or stooping as nature
dictates, mature carers stop
and dog-bag at the ready will bend
backs and droppings retrieve.
In heat or cold winter seniors plod,
exchanging nod-recognition
with others regaining missed life
since losing kin, smile
despite inclement skies or ageing
bones as canine exercise
gives motive for outings that might
not be otherwise taken.
Walks become vital to stay-at-home
people when sharing with
four-pawed, fur-coated pals duo
pleasures and trips outdoors
become a much looked-for task
for folk who need reasons
for coping with days that otherwise
must be lived quite alone.