walking the dog

you see the moving
van out front.
the boxes
and furniture
being rolled out
into the dark
cave of the long
truck.
in ten years,
you've hardly
spoken to this
neighbor, or him
to you, although
he warned you once
about picking up
after your dog.
so you never liked
him much after
that.
he comes over to
you to say goodbye,
to tell you where
he's going,
and why. he shakes
your hand. he seems
sad, as if he's
going to miss you.
as if he's doing
the wrong thing,
moving. but you
feel relieved, as
does your dog as
you walk him down
the sidewalk.