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the tender gravity of kindness
note to self

remember—for you
the highest good is kindness
be interested in the grocery
checker—he stands on
his feet all day for you—
and generous with Anne
the blocky woman who leans
on her cane holding a sign
on the corner where you
turn toward home
partner, and dog

kindness is warm
it does not spurn or flinch
but notices what’s true—
the checker has pain
etched near his eyes
Anne’s in a wheelchair now—
love and respect them with
the tender gravity of kindness
another may show you one day

thank you to Naomi Shihab Nye for the title phrase

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.