The Daily Boost #549
Believe it or not . . .
BE KIND Michael Blumenthal Not merely because Henry James said there were but four rules of life— be kind be kind be kind be kind—but because it's good for the soul, and, what's more, for others, it may be that kindness is our best audition for a worthier world, and, despite the vagueness and uncertainty of its recompense, a bird may yet wander into a bush before our very houses, gratitude may not manifest itself in deeds entirely equal to our own, still there's weather arriving from every direction, the feasts of famine and feasts of plenty may yet prove to be one, so why not allow the little sacrificial squinches and squigulas to prevail? Why not inundate the particular world with minute particulars? Dust's certainly all our fate, so why not make it the happiest possible dust, a detritus of blessedness? Surely the hedgehog, furling and unfurling into its spiked little ball, knows something that, with gentle touch and unthreatening tone, can inure to our benefit, surely the wicked witches of our childhood have died and, from where they are buried, a great kindness has eclipsed their misdeeds. Yes, of course, in the end so much comes down to privilege and its various penumbras, but too much of our unruly animus has already been wasted on reprisals, too much of the unblessed air is filled with smoke from undignified fires. Oh friends, take whatever kindness you can find and be profligate in its expenditure: It will not drain your limited resources, I assure you, it will not leave you vulnerable and unfurled, with only your sweet little claws to defend yourselves, and your wet little noses, and your eyes to the ground, and your little feet. (First published in The New Republic)
(My thanks to Michael Blumenthal, via Poets.org.)
The Gentle Nudge
Join other Rafters today for . . .
Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, 12:00-1:00PM Central, at this link)
The last day of our August “Show & Share.” Check it out!
🧡 Thanks for reading! As part of The Raft, this newsletter is kept afloat by beautiful readers like you. If you like my work, please support it by sharing it with a friend, becoming a paid subscriber, buying my books, or inviting me to speak. And remember to add your 2¢ by leaving comments!
Ok. I read this and thought ..
Dude, could have been just a tad more kind to those of us who have not spent their lives writing poetry
But still love poetry.
Who have not taken college literature courses but love our language.
With such an important message , would it not be better served, to word it so it’s is easily palatable for us limited in verbiage but overflowing with good intent ?
My eyes were sore
But still loved the content.
Love this!