Throwback Thursday #16

I wrote this poem back in 2019 (Wow! Four years ago). It is odd looking back now. I remember writing this poem because I was feeling disheartened by humanity. I had no idea what was in store for me in the coming year. 2020 hit me pretty hard, I must admit. I remember watching the news with my hands in my hair, horrified by the actions of people. People were buying diapers and baby wipes and selling them at double the price of retail stores. I watched a video of the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds, and I watched people riot in the street over a friggin’ chicken sandwich. I was horrified, and I really struggled with my emotions and my former belief that everyone has some good in them. Some people genuinely are evil.

I digress. I wrote this to remind myself that despite the hardness and ugliness of the world, the world was also as soft and beautiful as I chose to see it. I still adhere to this perspective but have some balance in dealing with my fellow humans.

If you are struggling, I hope this speaks to you and inspires you to look for the good. It might be rare, but it is there.

Love & life lessons,

Kristian

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Small Gestures

I believe there is great meaning

behind small gestures−

Paying for a stranger’s coffee

holding the door open for people

overtipping

and smiling, even when I don’t feel like it

Chasing a child’s ball down the sidewalk

and throwing it back

watching as their eyes light up.

Paying compliments

and being kind

especially when it’s difficult.

People notice

and appreciate

I know I do

when it’s done to or for me.

Small gestures−

eye contact

politeness

a simple “How are you?”

For a moment

life doesn’t seem so heavy−

it’s a candle burning on Christmas Eve

it’s a bit of Gene Kelly dancing in the rain.

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