Neighbor
I have a neighbor, now 92,
who calls the President “Jigaboo”
hates Muslims, hates Jews,
and just to be fair,
hates himself, too.
He keeps a room full of guns and munitions,
makes clear to the world his lawless opinions,
though they could care less;
his divorce
threw him out of communion.
But he's also a doctor, MD, nonetheless,
who knows little of science, is unwilling to change,
knows only that his world
is going to hell,
but remembers his patients for whom he cared well.
His patients came first and he kept up to snuff,
now watches TV from morning to dusk.
I know he won't change. He knows it's too late.
So what I do?
Love the man, only hate
his bigotry, fear. He looks back, it's clear
while the world moves steadily on.
He's no more a part.
His experience and learning now less than a fart.
He has lost both purpose and meaning.
What is left is his anger and hate.
Unaccepting of change, he's become, in all ways, out of date;
what he was, what he is, is for him what’s now.
He would like to be different,
but, simply, doesn't know how.
I understand what he's feeling and know it's too late.
He's tired, life's painful; he has much to regret,
but's not willing yet, to admit any wrong.
So what do I do?
Life is hard, he is strong.
And what is the lesson? Love the man, forgive hate.