Forged by bicycle rides and ice cream sprinkles,

We swore we would be friends until our skin wrinkles.

Your life path would stray from mine, mine from yours, No longer together as both.

Years would pass without a call, But still we held onto our childhood oath.

***

The patter of paws trailed behind me

Enticed by kibble and walks “she” became “we.”

Even when I was the one to put her down,

She still nuzzled never whimpering a sound.

***

The whispered promise between us, Forged the night we met.

No contract, no handshake, Just two lovers gazing as the sun set.

Would fidelity to one another remain,

should our love ever wane.

For the trust wrought from what love brings

Also comes attached with strings.

***

Cradling my baby whose eyes first looked upon mine,

An unbreakable compact that I would be his lifeline.

My child would one day seek the world instead of me

To be true I would have to set him free.

Should he one day shun me

He would still have my loyalty.

***