Time to Cross Over

A black man with his family
moved in across the street and
he started to clean up his yard
and wash down the steps.
I like neighbors who take care
of their place and waved to him.
He didn’t wave back. Why, I told
my wife, the sonofabitch won’t wave.

But his kid batted a ball
into our yard and I yelled for
him to come and get it and
my wife gave the kid enough
fresh cookies she just baked
for the family. And now the guy
waves like crazy and I must
cross over and meet him someday.