The path between our homes is a pleasant walk

while heading to an early,

still dark-skied, kitchen table-holding hot cup of light

coffee and sometimes, surprisingly,

homemade dandelion and mint tea.

I think it is my late morning return home on the narrow,

forest-river-infused path

with the sun shining my way

from your home to mine, that I am most aware

and grateful we chose to live next to each other,

rarely ever needing to drive,

and even when walking

far away,

never leaving home.