the lender

it started years ago,

when

my neighbor would come over

and ask

to borrow

a drill, or a wrench, my

lawn mower.

do you mind if i borrow

your hedge

trimmer

for a while,

or your garden hose,

your grill,

or rake.

could i borrow your son

for awhile

to help

me clean out my gutters?

and now,

as i sit in my livingroom,

staring out

the window over

at his house,

i see my family,

over there and everything

i lent him,

and there's my wife,

baking him a cake.