loneliness lives next door to purposefulness

in the dark blue bungalow with the pulled shades crinkled-leaf shrubs

long neglect which came first lonely moving in or leaves losing luster

no matter really the point is purposefulness lives right next door

bright white paint adorns shutters roses bloom on bush in vase atop the desk

the counter where cookies cool on wire rack

no one knows what goes on inside loneliness’ home we’re not let inside

the great mystery for if only

lonely would open the door a crack

purposeful would show up with a warm sweet-scented folded-top brown paper sack

invite them to taste the rich flavor of what has been baked