‘Two Strangers Passing on the Street’ by Richard Lackman

The two were different as could be as anyone could surely see
One was tall and thick and white, the other black and thin and slight

To look at them it would be clear to any stranger standing near
That neither would think of the other as a friend or as a brother

And yet when chance would have them meet while simply walking
down the street
The two engaged in friendly chatter as if nothing else did matter

This was truly kind behavior fitting for a saint or savior
The apex of humanity invoking kind civility

I would be happy to report that they were people of some sort
But then I would be a deceiver, they were poodle and retriever.

Richard Lackman is an orthopaedic cancer surgeon and poet.

Featured Image: “Piazza della Signoria, Florence” by Giuseppe Zocchi (1711-1767)