Blackie and the Lion

My pets never were the kind
to turn tail and hide. They
let everyone they met know
they meant business. They
were the terrors of the shadows
and masters of the neighborhood,
especially Blackie...

He always deserved a better
name, but Blackie stuck to him
like ink to paper. The kids
couldn't say the other names.
Blackie was a beast in his own
right, but he never lost temper
with the kids or me.

He behaved like a watch dog
and snarled ferociously at strangers.
Until one day, he met his match.
Blackie fell in love. Never one
to share his space, this ceramic
lion was majestic enough
to do honor to Blackie.

Even today, we don't know
if he knows
the lion isn't real.

The Sidewalk

The sidewalk joins me
as I make my walk home.
It keeps me company
with its shadows
so I am never alone.

Even those shadows
are familiar to me
since I see them
each time I return
home after school.

We play games.
"X" marks the start
of the final stretch
and I know someone
is waiting for me.