When I am a Neighbour Again. A poem by Jennifer A. McGowan

When I am a neighbour again
I will know everyone by their first names.
And pronounce them correctly.

When I am a neighbour again
I will rejoice in others’ improvements,
and if their music is too loud,
I will go for a long, long walk.

I will share the care of wild birds.
I will honor every life equally,
no matter the size of it; we will
have game days and street parties,
for which I will cook. And when
I go, I will at last be described
as “good people.”