Good Neighbors

by Irene Daniel

Good fences make good neighbors
        so they say
I have a fence
         and so do they

Our fences are mostly
         porous
not walls or forts
         not for us

No motes to keep
          each other out
gated communities?
          Not what we're about

Here in south Flo town
         in my space
my neighbors know me
         they remember my face

It is the people
         that I know
their faces, hearts
         and sentiments that flow

With some, sweet memories to share;
         others? not so much
with all I share an intimacy
          of our embrace, our touch

I thrived in the City of Angels
          once upon a time
living behind fences
           of every shape and kind

I didn't know my neighbors,
           not really, not that well
although we shared a neighborhood
           and anecdotes to tell

We learned each other's patterns
           the coming and the going
of raising kids and working
           but not a true knowing

As I gaze out my window now
           I see them and they see me
From this small town intimacy
           I no longer want to flee

To the east, west and south
           are families I have known
and across the street, a new mentee
           raw talent yet to hone

Enveloped in familiar love
           I no longer fear
For I am home and I am safe
           I like it better here
       

                                                                     Copyright 2015, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.