Neighborly

My neighbor is wearing shorts while shoveling snow,
And I ask myself,

"Why?

Why is he shoveling snow in his shorts?

Is he from Alaska?

Does he have a high tolerance for cold?

Is hypothermia setting in?

Is he a mutant?"

These are the questions that go through

A neighbor's mind.

Then I am reminded of

The second great commandment -

To love thy neighbor as thyself,

And I wonder what interrogations 

I should perform on myself.

What ridiculously absurd beams

Do I have in my life 

Compared to this mote of winter clothing choices in his?

None come to mind.

I finish shoveling my driveway,

Or rather, that of a single mother's around the corner

Since a more financially stable neighbor
With a mammoth snow blower
Has already taken care of mine and the elderly neighbor's next door 

(I guess he did mine since I'm the neighbor with little kids), and

I walk past this short-clad neighbor,

Comment on the weather,

And offer a hand, 

Which he appreciates

But declines.

He bids me,

"Have a good night,"

Though it's 11am,

And I'm now convinced 

hypothermia is setting in.

"You too,"

I reply,

Walking away.

And I realize he's probably asking himself,

"Why is that guy wearing snow pants?

And a high school drama club sweatshirt 

Underneath an unzipped 2nd sweatshirt?

Is he a thespian wuss?

And why is a grown man wearing a -

What is that - a Yoda hat?"

Yes it is, neighbor.

Let's call it even.