I’m an old man
but I didn’t mind
until the neighbor moved.
His little son don’t ride past
on his bicycle anymore.
The little daughter in the overalls
won’t giggle on my porch
while I tell her the story
for the hundredth time.

I’m an old man
and I mind, now.
I used to have three
to wait for. Now
it’s only one and
God-damn him! He’s
taking his time!

I miss them two little ones…
But it’s ok.
It’s too far for the boy
to ride back here
It’s way too far for the girl.

Besides, the sadness
in her eyes
when she sees how
bad the neighborhoods become
since she left
would hurt her
more than it would me…

I wish…
I wish he would
hurry up.