Canine Memories

He stood on the warm sand
watching the waves roll in,
roll out,
as the setting sun transformed
the ocean into molten gold.

He remembered his puppy years,
his first tentative steps
into the cold salt water
and little boy
walking beside him.

He remembered his middle age,
and the boy
growing into an accomplished swimmer
as the played in the waves.

Now,
in his old age,
he stands on the hot sand,
waiting for his swimming buddy
to return.

He remembers
the last time they were together,
his friend
dressed in camouflage fatigues
walking barefooted
across the warm sand
and he can still feel the water
soothing his weary paws.

Line count: 27