Good Buddy

Buddy loves the park,

a long, green field

at the top of a hill.

He doesn’t like to go

into the redwoods. He’s a smart dog;

he must know that the grove is a national park

full of animals who already live there.

Instead he runs in giant circles

end to end, pulling me along

until we’re tired enough

to lie in the grass.

He licks my face,

then sits with his whole body

over my legs.