Ally-dog and I rode the game trails out back, lights-free, blackout-drive

In Lightfoot, Virginia

Those child-bearing days

Ally-dog and I rode the game trails out back, lights-free.

She led.

I followed.

Her dog tags click-clacked through the darkness

My only job was to listen.

She’d beacon me unerringly them game trails

Those zero-percent-illumination, baby-shaking nights