the new neighbors with three pickup trucks wave
yet more new neighbors
a feeble wave back at them out of politeness
I wonder when they’ll come asking for favors
I wonder what their ulterior motive is
nobody’s that nice anymore
unless they got a reason for it
what you can do for them, what they can borrow
no I don’t care where you work
or how important you or your alphabet soup title are
or how much money you got
or if you’re drivin’ the fanciest car
you never know who they could be
some psychos just waiting for an opening
softening you up for the kill
maybe just broke out of Sing-Sing
with arrest records like a dictionary
or ordinary people who are a pain in the ass
I don’t make eye contact for long
don’t want them steppin’ on my grass
bring the dog in and lock the door
deadbolt keep out and away
that’s what it’s come to
can’t trust anybody these days
especially if they’re smiling or waving
as they say--good fences make good neighbors
