Charlie

about half way to the
greek orthodox monastery
where I walk in the morning
early to beat the heat
charlie an old chocolate lab
found me and now we walk together
he is uaually waiting for me
somewhere on the road
perhaps close to his home
we are happy to see each other
he is marked by circles
of white callouses
from wear and tear
he is old but still young
he is wonderfully delightful
and fills an emptiness
left behind when my
old hunting dog gypsy died
we stop to look
at the blooming desert orchid bush
and the blooming sage
buzzing with bees
at the gate of the monastery
and we have tense moments
occasionally with other dogs
our walk ends
after he has immersed himself
in the big tub of water
for all visiting critters
by gypsys angel play patch
we say goodby at the cabin door
as I scratch his old brown ears
we know all we need to know
about each other
we are friends