My neighbor has a beautiful garden.1
My own sits neglected, filled with crabgrass and dandilions and those nasty prickly green things. Gardening takes too much time that I could spend usefully. I could be studying, or cleaning the house, or making money off of ebay.2
My neighbor grows demure foxgloves and loud sunflowers in the same plot.3
I can't stand things that don't match. My carpet matches my couch matches my coffee table matches my TV. All the same shade of brown. Brown is a nice conservative style. 4
My neighbor lets his hair swing lose while he weeds.5
Mine is tied up in a bun 24/7. Who can honestly stand long hair in this heat? Besides, no one can honestly say they like hair that long on a man.6
My neighbor walks barefoot between the plants.7
I have sensible shoes. Doesn't he know things like beestings and splinters can lead to an infection in his foot?8
My neighbor sits on his porchstep every afternoon to watch the sunset. He hums off-key and pets his dog. He runs one thumb over the bloom of a well cared-for petuntia.9
And even though the cement is hard and dirty, I sit on my porch step this afternoon as well. I exchange a quick glance and a smile with my neighbor, and hum my own little off-key tune. The sun feels so good as it kisses my face farewell for now. And I make a vow that tommorrow I will be more like my neighbor.10
Author notes
This is not a story, it's not even a work of art. It is me, noticing things that are all too true, and getting them off my chest in the only way I know how. Comment if you wish to, I'll appreciate it as always.
Amanda
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
-
Hidden Angel: Very glad you've found this to be "something different for a change". I always love hearing that. Hopefully it means my words are too horridly cliche. Thanks for the comment,
Amanda -
honeybe: I'm very glad you like setting and all. Without noticing things that no one else notices, the whole purpose of writing would be lost. With nothing new to put down, we'd simply be repeating the same old cliches in new words. So I'm glad you've found this slightly original anyway. And thanks for letting me know,
Amanda -
Joshua Scott Peck: You know, that last part was the only reason I considered this worthy of posting anywhere. Otherwise, I just felt like this was just some words meaning having no artistic value. I like my ending, I'm really glad someone else did. Thanks for the vote of confidence lol.
Amanda -
AmyKareena: lol, thanks so much for the vote of confidence, I didn't even really consider this a work of art, just words scribbled down. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I have to ask, though, what contest did you think this was in? I've heard good luck in a few comments, but I haven't entered in anything that I know of. Hrm.
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this,
Amanda -
starlady: I"m glad you've grasped the message and found it worthy. But also a wee bit confused. What contest did you think this was in? I haven't entered it in anything lol.
Thanks for commenting anyway, and I'm glad you enjoyed it,
Amanda -
Krishnaa: I admit that gardening is a worthy pasttime, and I've done a bit myself. But my neighbor really is amazing, he's turned his ghetto little apartment into a fairyland. It's not even a garden, really, but something majic. Not too many people can do that.
Thanks for the comment,
Amanda -
sweethart: Dear heavens, you're actually alive! I haven't heard from you in a bit lol.
Yesh, we've had some good people-watching times. And some good thinking times. And good talking times. Lots to write on when you finally get past the writer's block lol.
Thanks for the comment babe, love ya too,
Amanda
BTW, get on myspace and read my newest blog. It'll amuse you lol. -
this was a very good piece. it was nice to read something different for a change. nice write.
Hidden Angel
-
intersting work...nice write...nice to see others noticing things that most people don't even know exist...wonderful setting for your comparisions. later Honeybe
-
And even though the cement is hard and dirty, I sit on my porch step this afternoon as well. I exchange a quick glance and a smile with my neighbor, and hum my own little off-key tune. The sun feels so good as it kisses my face farewell for now. And I make a vow that tommorrow I will be more like my neighbor
i loved how you ended it here, keep up the great work -
Your Poetry Rocks! It is so damn awesome and you convey emotion very very well. Keep on being so creative and good luck in teh contest!
-
A lovely read, and a good message to losen up within.
Good luck in the contest
starlady -
I read an article (more like a rant) the other day where the author bemoaned that neighbours are more interested in one's garden than one is. A well-groomed garden is an object of envy. Nice to read about somebody who has the knack and patience for gardening.
Krishna -
hey hon, this is really good...insightful, as usual...isn't people watching fun! lol we've had many good times people watching...too bad I can put it into fun little stories like you can...bitch...lol naw i love you manda!
luve,
hilary xoxo -
Carissa: I wish I were half as talented as my neighbor. his backyard looks like a fairyland. I'm glad to have found someone with similar thoughts, it makes me feel that much less insane
And thanks so much for letting me know what you thought,
Amanda -
Molly Densmore: Yes, we are all very very different. And because we are all so different, we can all stand to learn from eachother. That's what I was writing about. Thanks for commenting,
Amanda -
Funny .. I think about some of this when I see my neighbor gardening
I wish I had the green thumb like he does. I liked reading this. Thanks!
-
Just goes to prove how different we all are. A great write and observation. I really liked this and enjoyed reading it. Great job. thanks for sharing.
Adding your comment:
1 - 18 of 18
