What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

Is it simply smiling as you drive by the house?

Is it raising your hand with a wave as you pass them in the street corner?

Is it picking up a valuable and returning it to their doorstep?

Is it holding open the door as he wobbled in on the cane?

Is it helping her take one more step with her feeble pace?

Is it embracing them as they weep their loss?

Could it be a statement of confrontation to avoid disaster?

Could it be a moment of disagreement to detour from harm?

Could it be a jolt of volume to shut the door to Hell?

Could it a kind word to the multitude as you pass by?

Could it be a loaf of bread to the starving?

Could it be fresh water to the parched?

Could it be all of these and more?

Do you shut yourself out; so, your eyes don’t have to feel?

Do you close the door; so, your ears don’t have to hear?

Do you shield your expression; so, your heart doesn’t have to feel?

Who will be a good neighbor within your home?

Who will be a good neighbor in your city?

Who will be a good neighbor to your world?

It only takes one.

Will it be you?

Penned – MG – 11/7/19