Joined at the Sole

We often began our day walking the circular one mile of Sheraton Park as the city awakened.

Walking together in the early morning chill

The city awakes 

Tracing steps we change places

Curving the serpentine pathway

West wind stirs falling leaves

Spring leftover from Winter's grip

The early sun peaks distant mesas

Lifting darkness over orchards

Its early burn wakes my exposed

Earlobes and fingertips

We are the only ones striding this artful labyrinth

Round the first turn, the path opens ahead

We are here before jogging nurses

Before old men keeping cardiac vigil

We are here before old women with Basenjis

Before young mothers in tights sporting their first borns

We are here alone under this mackerel sky

Sharing the pristeen kiss of a new day