MY NEIGHBOR'S ROSES

                                      The roses red upon my neighbor's vine
                                    Are owned by him, but they are also mine.
                                      His was the cost, and his the labor, too,
                              But mine as well as his the joy, their loveliness to
                                     They bloom for me and are for me as fair
                                    As for the man who gives them all his care.
                                     Thus I am rich because a good man grew
                                    A rose-clad vine for all his neighbors' view.
                                      I know from this that others plant for me,
                                       And what they own my joy may also be;
                                    So why be selfish when so much that's fine
                                    Is grown for you upon your neighbor's vine.

                                                               A.L. Gruber

                                                             And here is

                                    MY NEIGHBOR'S REPLY
 
                                    Your neighbor, sir, whose roses you admire,
                                       Is glad indeed to know that they inspire
                                      Within your breast a feeling quite as fine
                                    As felt by him who owns and tends that vine.
                              That those fair flowers should give my neighbors joy
                                   But swells my own, and draws therefrom alloy
                                Which would lessen its full worth, did I not know
                                     That others' pleasure in the flowers grow.
                             Friend, from my neighbors and this vine I've learned
                                    That sharing pleasure means a profit turned;
                                   And he who shares the joy in what he's grown
                                     Spreads joy abroad and doubles all his own.

                                                                Author Unknown