The Identity of a Walk

The identity of a walk

depends upon its environment:

The slow, smiling walk

down a country road,

The hand in hand walk

of two lovers

through a pasture,

The observant, amused walk

down the Sunset Strip,

The swift, silent half-dressed walk

out the back door

of a secret lover's house,

Walking a tightrope,

The first steps of a child

towards a mother

as she deviously backs away

to encourage more steps,

A march into battle and

the triumphant parade

that follows,

or the hasty retreat,

The floating bounce from

a sweetheart's porch,

The pallbearer’s march,

The swaying steps of the seductress,

The old woman behind her walker,

A long distance walk

with a thumb in the air,

A one way walk.