Yes, the Neighbours

                                                                            

                                                                              Neighbours
 

 

Dear Reader, 

I think it is interesting thinking about neighbours, new and old, and how best to approach them.  Do we want them to be our friends or simply be able to nod if we see them in the street?   We have some new neighbours.  They are a young couple with a small child.  Francis drew a card of welcome for them and we left it in their house to open when they arrived. Very sweetly they came round and introduced themselves to us, a doctor and a speech therapist and an adorable baby.  But we haven't seen them since.  My question is would they have liked us to call round and tell them where the best bread in town is to be bought, or how well we thought of the local dentist, or where were the best walks near our houses? Any of these things or none?

And the neighbours we have known for four or five years, what about them?  How much can we call on them? Three different couples and all delightful.  During lockdown each couple went shopping for us, dropped round (to the front door)  just to see we were coping, and spoke to us on the telephone several times.  Sadly I know that they are all very busy but one woman, we will call her Dora, loves my poetry and all the things she says about my poems are touching and poignant.  I would love to see more of her but know this is not possible. 

I suppose there is a sort of code for how to be a good neighbour.  Smiling when you see them but allowing them their space, seems to be about it.  

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From Horace Walpole, June 14th, 1791, in Middlesex

'It froze hard last night: I went out or a moment to look at my haymakers, and was starved.  The contents of an English June are hay and ice, orange flowers and rheumatism.  I am now cowering over the fire.'

From Francis Kilvert, June 15th, 1873 in Wiltshire

'The sun and the golden buttercup meadows had it almost to themselves.....One or two people were crossing the Common early by the several paths through the golden sea of buttercups which will soon be the silver sea of ox-eyes.  The birds were singing quietly.  The cuckoo's notes tolled clear and sweet as a silver bell.'

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Yes, the Neighbours

were very nice

two lovely children
playing quietly in the garden
a large friendly dog
no loud music
no noisy cars

I can't think
who would do this
to them

such a happy, smiling family
such a shame
such a waste

I am so sorry

But, of course,
we never spoke to them,
she said.

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With very best wishes, Patricia