Purple Redemption

The old dog and I are walking
when the storm breaks bold
far from the house
we are helpless

the lightning crashes in the distance
as if thrown from an angry hand
old dog’s eyes are cloudy and weary
running isn’t an option
my skin is alive
with electricity
having been too long in this
part of the country
many have walked in the shadow of death
here in tornado alley
I look around and see
a lilac bush in full bloom
the scent of purple passion
overlapped with wysteria
the wind gusts
I lead my old dog there
where we huddle in a lilac cave
the raging rain bursts
like diamonds crashing on pavement
like hope sparkling on the starved earth
a purple paradise
we have found a spot of grace in a moment
old dog looks at me as if he knows
that he is not long for this world
that my future is shaky
but we are here for now
and we are safe
he understands my bad decision
to walk when we shouldn’t
but I knew he wanted to go
as much as I did
the two of us
alone at the edge of the world
still traveling Robert Frost’s road
as the miles stretch before me
and my old friend contemplates
all the lilac in heaven
and all the love in my heart