Praise of a Neighbor

This was a poem in memory of my late next door neighbor, who died earlier this year. I grew up living next to him for almost 13 years and got to know him very well, and he deserved this poem in memory of him. This one's for you Jug. Enjoy.

I remember way back in the day

We’d come outside and proceed to play

Running all around the court

We’d be there all day.

You would stand around and watch

And laugh as you passed by

The days would always seem so long

They would never seem to fly.

You’d always say hello

The memories stand so clear

Yet how was I supposed to know

The end of it all was so near?

Your tree had the best

View on the street

There was not one doubt in my mind

The other neighbors you beat.

Although I rarely got the chance

To swim in your pool

You always seemed to offer

In the summer, to stay cool.

So to anyone else

These may just look like random memories.

But I will never forget you, Jug.

Thanks for a great history.