The Neighbors

we have been planning to meet
them over a glass of wine,
but they keep cancelling, citing previous
engagements that had not been written on
their calendars, relatives from out of
town that we have never heard of,
trips to unlikely tourist destinations.
they always apologize but we’re
starting to think that maybe they
don’t like us so much after all,
what with dogs that slobber in
their laps, a lunging rabbit and now
two begging goldfish.
it’s all a bit overstimulating after
all for a glass of wine in the late
afternoon when all those who are
civilized would rather be napping.