The Little Girl’s Shadow

Every morning, at the break of dawn,

He waits by the gate, on the cold stone lawn.

His tail still, his eyes so bright,

Watching for her in the morning light.

She steps outside, bag on her back,

A tiny figure on a school-day track.

She waves, she smiles, she pats his head,

And off she goes, where lessons are read.

But he stays there, through sun and rain,

Through summer's warmth and winter's pain.

His paws are firm, his heart is true,

He waits for her, like the sky waits for blue.

People pass, they stop and stare,

At the faithful dog just waiting there.

They do not know what his heart sees,

A bond unbroken, a love like trees.

The school bell rings, the hours fade,

The golden sun begins to shade.

And then—her steps, so light, so free,

Running back where she longs to be.

His tail now wags, his joy takes flight,

His world turns bright in the fading light.

She hugs him close, so tight, so dear,

"I missed you too, my friend, I'm here."

And as a father, if I may say,

Love like this will never stray.

Through time, through age, through all you do,

A heart so loyal stays with you.