Yesterday a wee dog played in the fountain
at Custom House Square,
fascinated by these solid, white columns
that shot up into the air
and turned into water in his mouth
when he tried to bite them.

He raced up and down,
careering in and out of the fountain sprays,
biting, barking, snapping at the water.
He played with abandon,
absorbed, delighted and excited,
oblivious to the smiles of bemused students
who waited for a bus home
at the start of mid-term.

I long to throw myself into life
just like that wee dog,
to live life
instead of living in fear
of what others might think of me,
to delight in this wonderful gift of life
that my God has given to me.
I could learn such a lot
from that wee dog!

© Claire Murray