143 Poem by Jim Yerman

When our children were little whenever we could
we'd visit Mr. Rogers in his neighborhood.

We'd find a comfortable place and there we'd recline
to watch a man who spoke softly…who was gentle and kind.

There on the floor…the children…Mom and Dad
listened as this man spoke of feelings…
the good and the bad.

He taught through his actions and every day we'd return
for there was no better way for our children to learn.

There on the floor, on the screen….just out of reach
stood Mr. Rogers…no better person to teach…

He taught about compassion and acceptance…about how to be good
all from the safety of his neighborhood.

Mr. Rogers is gone now and our children are grown.
They have long since left his neighborhood for lives of their own…

But after all those hours spent with Mr. Rogers…I know I'm not wrong
when I say wherever they go…they bring his neighborhood along.

Since he's been gone, though, it seems the world has rearranged
and our neighborhoods of compassion and acceptance and love have been changed.

I think, in some ways, we've forgotten his message.
We have forgotten how to be good…
Which makes me long for those moments we learned about love
on the streets of his neighborhood.