I walk under high fog
because something has propelled me
to get outside and see the neighborhood anew
on this quiet afternoon as the world
heads into who knows what.
Already, across this country,
two major acts of public violence
have rocked us. But because I thought
to tuck a few bills into my pocket before
I left home, when I passed the man
in front of the church sitting with
his knees up and his head down,
possibly praying, possibly trying to
keep warm,
I realized I had something to give.
I turned around and walked back
with my small offering to say,
Excuse me. Might this help?
His head popped up and his smile
brightened the day before his thanks.
But that’s not why I did it. It’s because
this has become my prayer:
For every horror humanity visits upon itself,
let this year also be one of unnecessary
acts of kindness, mostly small ones,
that we can offer one another—
like the pink cosmos in my neighbor’s
yard on the corner that, with no prompting,
continues to produce the flushed,
happy faces of bobbing blooms,
even in the depths of winter.
Güd wrtr 
I love this poem. *Something has propelled me to see the neighborhood anew. Love the rhythm and trusting the reader. * The prayer is such a simple and perfect expression of integrity. Thank you for sharing it. And how about those cosmos! You never know where beauty will arise to encourage us.
Love, Tx Jan
Transformational Coach, ICF ACC Certified Deep Coaching Practitioner Affiliate Amherst Writers and Artists Writing Group Leader Wildasswriters http://www.janetjohnstoncoaching.com
Thank you, Texas Jan! I so much appreciate your comments and love!
A beautiful thought and intention for a reaction to violence. Thank you for your generous spirit. Love, ~Connie
Thank you, Connie! Love and hugs back to you.