Neighbor

Better change your ways,

I hear the Teacher say,

when we question
who our neighbor is,

not just the dude in the pew

who sings like you,

off key and all,

or professors and their

obedient sheep tuned to

the classroom sermon,

all those in faithful repetition,

appear alike,
sound the same,

uniform in the outrageous

dress of the same tribe as you,

no that won't do,
get up and

cross the road that splits

your comfort from your disgust,

and do for others

what you do for yours,

clean up their bloody mess,

stash a few bucks in their pocket,

and promise to check back

till they're on their feet,

and ready to be

your neighbor, too.

©Eusebeia Philos 2013