Today I rose before my eyes could see.
To keep them closed is just stupidity.
With all the struggle that’s in front of me,
feet hit the floor.
The morning paper smacks me in the face.
Sometimes this world can be an awful place.
Lost my faith in the human race.
Then I look next door.
The grass is greener on the other side,
I’m wanting some of what your life provides.
Guess I’m unhappy with the state of mine,
compared to yours.
I’ve got enough of what this life can give.
It’s not our stuff that shows we’ve really lived.
When I compare ‘tween what’s mine and his,
I’m wanting more.
Home from work to see you once again.
My next-door neighbor and one-time friend.
Kneeling in the garden that you tend,
it shakes me to the core.
You’re working hard with what you’ve got.
I look and realize it’s not a lot.
Every inch you gain is hard-fought.
But work is such a bore.
About that time I opened up my eyes.
The easy life is just a pack of lies.
And if it takes another hundred tries,
I’ll work for what’s in store.
Now life’s not easy but I’ve got it good,
My favorite yard in my neighborhood,
is where I’m kneeling and once had stood,
focused on next-door.
~ elr
Image: © E.L. Redwine