A walk with my dog leading
Over the White Clay’s
Great expanse
Happened in the comfort
Of spring’s narrowing growth

We hit the trail with every intention
Of finding a bit of peacefulness,
Creativity, and sweat
No music, no news, no commercials
Our intentions were realized

We got home to the news
Of another mass shooting
With plenty of reporting,
Analysis, and prognosticating
No birds, no creaking trees, no jingling of the leash

Just what we were trying to escape