For my neighbour in Amsterdam

Strange how only after parting
the pictures focus into sharpness.
I saw him jogging past my window
his little daughter sitting on his shoulders
bouncing up and down in delight,
both of them laughing.
Years after, looking out the window,
I see them trotting past together.
I like to watch the neighbours coming and going
taking the kids to school, bringing them home,
or off to work - intriguing pastime
looking at life outside my walls,
multi-dimensional pictures
costless entertainment, constant variety.
But that picture of him with his daughter
is fixed, because a couple of weeks later
they told me he was dying, and I never saw him again.
There he goes, full of life, singing with his child
laughing upon his shoulders
A snap.. sharp second, forever.