On Their Blog, It’s Printed With Permission of Naomi Shihab Nye

Kindness
by Naomi Shihab Nye 1952 –

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

From Words Under the Words: Selected Poems.Copyright © 1995 by Naomi
Shihab Nye. Reprinted with the permission of the author.

My source: https://poets.org/poem/kindness

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Selma Martin

I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.

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This Post Has 14 Comments

beth May 14, 2024 Reply

really amazing
1. Selma Martin May 15, 2024 Reply
  
  I thought so too. Happy to know.
Sadje May 14, 2024 Reply

Thanks for sharing this very powerful poem
1. Selma Martin May 15, 2024 Reply
  
  Powerful. I found it so too. Glad I shared.
  1. Sadje May 15, 2024 Reply
    
    You’re right 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Michele Lee May 15, 2024 Reply

Love this poem, and her! Had the pleasure of listening to her last year at a poetry conference in Denver. She’s talented and genuine!
1. Selma Martin May 15, 2024 Reply
  
  Wow. What loveliness. Amazing experience I bet. Xoxo
  1. Michele Lee May 16, 2024 Reply
    
    Truly! She is a gem! 💖
dorahak May 15, 2024 Reply

So lovely!! Thanks for sharing, Selma.
1. Selma Martin May 15, 2024 Reply
  
  It’s my pleasure, Dora dear. Glad you enjoyed. 🤗
  1. dorahak May 16, 2024 Reply
    
    My pleasure, Selma!
rajkkhoja May 15, 2024 Reply

Amazing
1. Selma Martin May 15, 2024 Reply
  
  Thanks Raj. Glad you enjoyed.
  1. rajkkhoja May 15, 2024 Reply
    
    Beautiful ❤️ pic.