KINDNESS (1)
The air sang
and the wind came
like an involuntary exhale,
kindness wrapped its hands
around people
as they slept, argued,
waged war,
and for a brief moment—
a stillness took hold—
a pause, softening
sharp edges, like snow
on the tips of jagged-edged fences
light caressed stones,
released a tense brow
like a flash in the night
one “no” turned into a “yes”
a scowl turned into a smile,
silenced a baby’s cry,
softened a homeless man’s
rumble,
the grumpy lady
dug into her pocket
and gave change
while a man lit a cigarette
and saw the blue center
of his light
and the heart that holds all
pounded one beat slower.
— © Abraham Menashe