AOK
"Acts of kindness"
by Linda
Ellis
copyright 2000
At times
I’ve been very discouraged,
observing people every day
just going about their business
in a frenzied, hostile way.
I’ve
seen shoppers misdirect their anger
to any employee in sight
and instruct him in superior tones,
that "the customer’s always right!"
I watch
the folks who race their cars
to the intersection up ahead
because they just don’t have a moment to spare
...in case the light turns red.
But I’ve
learned by watching people
that each day does provide
opportunities for compassion
that prove there is another side...
I call
them Acts of Kindness
or "AOK" for short
and I replay them in my mind
to give me comfort and support...
I once was
stuck in traffic
in a downpour from the skies
and through the rain I saw an "AOK"
that brought tears to my eyes.
A man in a
wheelchair was waiting
at a bus stop with no shelter.
It was late and cold and damp;
a rush hour helter-skelter.
The man in
front of me stopped his car
much to other drivers’ discontent
and I watched as he ran in the downpour
...to the man in the wheelchair he went.
He gave
the man his umbrella,
and not with a run or a jog,
he walked back to his lane-stopping car
with a smile...through the rain and the fog.
Another
time I was in my car
observing the woman in front of me.
She was stopped for the light in her Lexus
peering out her window nervously.
Behind her
a man in a beat up truck
was trying to get her attention.
He had long hair 'neath a dirty cap
and I watched with apprehension.
He stepped
out of his truck with a purpose
and walked quickly towards her car.
I could see her push the automatic locks
and roll up the windows so far.
He knelt
behind her left tire
and I wondered what were his plans
and when he arose...a grateful kitten
rested in his calloused hands.
This is a portion of
this poem. The entire poem may be purchased alone,
or in a booklet with many other original poems by Linda Ellis.
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