“Paw prints tucked into hillsides,
Twigs from abandoned nests”

My walk this morning,

Filled with signs.

Summer disappearing,

Autumn filling the gaps .

Icy lace-like frost

Gripping still green blades of grass.

Scat flung in random patterns,

Dried white droppings,

Paw prints tucked into hillsides,

Twigs from abandoned nests.

And you, dear brother,

Illness erasing you and me

Before each other’s eyes.

Where is the glimmer

You remain?

Your smile.

A contour so familiar

It falls effortlessly

Without need of cognition.

This expression of all your days,

The imprimatur of your essence,

Your benediction

My substantiation.