The scent of cedar rises,
bringing me back to you-
black fur glistening in the dappled light,
your curious sniffs exploring every corner.
You trotted ahead, always eager,
your fluffy tail a flag of pure joy,
every rustle and whisper a new adventure,
your nose leading the way through the woods.
Now the forest feels empty,
the spaces where you once roamed
filled with a stillness that echoes your absence.
I walk alone, but the familiar scent keeps you close.
I almost see your black fur among the shadows,
hear the soft thud of your paws on the ground,
feel the gentle press of your nose
against my hand.
The breeze shifts,
you fade back into the past,
leaving me with only memories
and the scent
of cedar
in the air.