Surf City Soroptimists of Huntington Beach Features Cathy Standiford, Activist Poet

Watching the Neighbors
By
Cathy Standiford

My neighbor carefully paints the edge of her car’s trunk with white out
because the too-small-to-notice scratch interrupts her well-manicured
desire for perfection

Another neighbor tosses water balloons across the spring lawn to her daughter
because the beaches are closed and they yearn to feel the surprise of
water splashing on skin

My elderly neighbor walks her white-haired toy poodle on the usual 4 p.m. route
because it gives them the nostalgia of normal, a small taste of freedom
embraced by fresh air 

Across the alley, a neighbor spins milkweed into monarchs, releasing them as blessings
because she wants to remind the world that with tender love and compassion
life will endure

Cathy Standiford, a member of Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach and long-time member of Soroptimist International is also a writer and poet.  To see more of Cathy’s writing, please visit her website at https://activist-poet.com/2020/05/12/watching-the-neighbors/