Neighbours. (Revised)

Love thy neighbour as thyself. 
Who is my Neighbour?
My neighbour is the fox prowling through the streets.
My neighbour is the badger buried in his set.
My neighbour is the skylark soaring in the clouds.
My neighbour is the astronaut soaring to the stars.
Brother Sun - Sister Moon - Comets swathed in Brother Fire.
Brother Sleep - Sister Dreams.

My neighbour is the sheep dog crouching in the fields.
My neighbour is the baby screaming out for supper.
My neighbour is the old man hobbling on white sticks.
My neighbour is the grey horse slaughtered for his meat.
Brother Lion - Sister Tigress.
Sister Zebra - Brother Wolf.
My neighbour is Saint Francis preaching to the song birds,
The sun dancing rainbows in his falling tears.

My neighbour is the junkie shooting up cocaine.
My neighbour is the sex worker hustling on the streets.
My neighbour is Saint Clare praying in her sanctuary.
My neighbour is the doctor dying with her patients.
Brother Death - Sister Sorrow.
Brother Hope - Sister Fear.
My neighbour is the scientist working night and morning
While patients gasp for air in Hospitals and Bedsits.
My neighbour is the nurse
Breaking down when exhausted.

Saint Catherine of Sienna saw Jesus in the sunrise.
Saint Francis of Assisi saw God in summer flowers.
Both saints felt the spear and nails pierce their hearts and hands.
Both saints understood that all that lives is sacred.
Wild bees collected pollen from their gentle voices
When they talked with the lepers, the poor, the dispossessed.
Their neighbour was the beggar branded on the forehead.
Their neighbour was the small child who stole a loaf of bread.

My neighbour is the gypsy excluded from the Food Bank.
My neighbour is the refugee drifting in mid ocean.
Every outcaste is my neighbour. The stateless and the terrorised.
Friends I have yet to meet.


Trevor John Karsavin Potter,
April 21st. 2020. - February 28th. 2021.