I absolutely love this. This has been my life and discovery since I cracked my femur. All the bullshit surrounding me, the noise, the complex and impossible situations I cannot change, the future I cannot know but can dread, all of it dissolved in the kindness offered me by more strangers than I can count -- but I can remember that. There is an aspect to love that is anonymous -- it's not compassion or charity -- it's something else, maybe something more and sometimes very fleeting but never unreal.
Thank you, Martha. In a world where everything seems so strident, so shrill, so in-your-face, that kind of gentleness/kindness/love/giving stands out and consoles us. I look for gentle consolation and just find more words. Or at least that's where this poem came from. :)
I get that. That's why it all moved me so deeply when it was concrete and palpable. I got the distinct sense that everyone feels helpless and when something they CAN do something about comes along? A small, simple example? My post office that went out of its way to be sure I could get my mail and even more -- "How are you doing?" at least once a week. I can't end wars. I can't change governments. I can be the pebble sending ripples out into the pool.
Action is wonderful, unexpected and changes everything. But even just gentle acknowledgment - let people know they are seen - changes lives. It does seem like only empathy and kindness can get us through this unbearable reality. Kudos to your post office - that is literally going over and beyond!
This is the kind of writing that will sit with me for a long time, Rajani.
I was fascinated with how you worked with the fog - suggestion, possiibity and memory. Then the shroud? Devastating.
The animal released into the world, turning back, haunts. Yet, in the end thank goodness we are saved by gentleness / the beautiful stuff like 'sleep fills the empty hands of waiting'. There is such a fierce hope in the end. Thank you as ever.
Thank you, Richard. Appreciate the kind comment. Those of us who are unable to cope with the reality of the headlines, the devastating visuals everyday...we have to hold on to hope...hope for kindness and gentleness and empathy...do we even have a choice? I hope that will come...soon. It must.
Thanks so much, Angela. I do that too...post my poem first before getting on with the reading... :) I'm only targetting 10 poems, not doing the poem-a-day thing...hope to read plenty of poetry though!
If it weren't for the cherry blossoms, for the spurts of kindness and gentleness, we would perhaps have drowned in the grief that builds this world. While we cannot look away, a sliver of kindness is all it takes. Thanks for your beautiful poetry, Rajani. I always look forward to reading you.
I love this beautiful poem, especially the wild one, turning back as if with a message. And that promises should be trees, not clouds. Your writing carries such powerful messages, Rajani. Beautifully expressed.
"How the empty quarter of the page cradles your eyes at the end of a sorrowful poem."
There is so much in this poem that it overwhelms me, but this line is the first place I felt the gentleness both in sun and in fog, in all it's taxonomies. My favorite part is the last stanza where "all things dissolve in kindness." May tomorrow come.
I absolutely love this. This has been my life and discovery since I cracked my femur. All the bullshit surrounding me, the noise, the complex and impossible situations I cannot change, the future I cannot know but can dread, all of it dissolved in the kindness offered me by more strangers than I can count -- but I can remember that. There is an aspect to love that is anonymous -- it's not compassion or charity -- it's something else, maybe something more and sometimes very fleeting but never unreal.
Thank you, Martha. In a world where everything seems so strident, so shrill, so in-your-face, that kind of gentleness/kindness/love/giving stands out and consoles us. I look for gentle consolation and just find more words. Or at least that's where this poem came from. :)
I get that. That's why it all moved me so deeply when it was concrete and palpable. I got the distinct sense that everyone feels helpless and when something they CAN do something about comes along? A small, simple example? My post office that went out of its way to be sure I could get my mail and even more -- "How are you doing?" at least once a week. I can't end wars. I can't change governments. I can be the pebble sending ripples out into the pool.
Action is wonderful, unexpected and changes everything. But even just gentle acknowledgment - let people know they are seen - changes lives. It does seem like only empathy and kindness can get us through this unbearable reality. Kudos to your post office - that is literally going over and beyond!
This is the kind of writing that will sit with me for a long time, Rajani.
I was fascinated with how you worked with the fog - suggestion, possiibity and memory. Then the shroud? Devastating.
The animal released into the world, turning back, haunts. Yet, in the end thank goodness we are saved by gentleness / the beautiful stuff like 'sleep fills the empty hands of waiting'. There is such a fierce hope in the end. Thank you as ever.
Thank you, Richard. Appreciate the kind comment. Those of us who are unable to cope with the reality of the headlines, the devastating visuals everyday...we have to hold on to hope...hope for kindness and gentleness and empathy...do we even have a choice? I hope that will come...soon. It must.
I know. I am distraught - that's why your poetry brings life. Thank you.
@rena Thanks so much for the restack, Rena. :)
all things dissolve in kindness — what a poem to kick off the month! gorgeous rumination, Rajani!
Thanks so much, Jared. So glad you liked this one!
Oh blimey, you're saying it's April already!
:) Feels that way, doesn't it!!!!
Loved this poem Rajani😊
Oozing with gentleness yet unafraid to name the unspoken
About balance, about hope
And clever use of metaphor 🙏
Thanks so much, Sanjay. Glad you liked it!
In awe of this one. Makes me think that if I join NaPoWriMo I should write before I read. After reading something great I don't feel like writing.
Thanks so much, Angela. I do that too...post my poem first before getting on with the reading... :) I'm only targetting 10 poems, not doing the poem-a-day thing...hope to read plenty of poetry though!
I feel the same way
Just beautiful. Thank you for this.
Wow, thank you for sharing. This is the kind of poem that reminds me why I love poetry so much.
Thanks so much for reading, Caroline. Glad you liked it. And I appreciate the restack too.
If it weren't for the cherry blossoms, for the spurts of kindness and gentleness, we would perhaps have drowned in the grief that builds this world. While we cannot look away, a sliver of kindness is all it takes. Thanks for your beautiful poetry, Rajani. I always look forward to reading you.
Thank you so much, Sonia. Appreciate the kind words. And yet, we need all the kindness we can get to get through this world. And all the poetry!
Gorgeous, evocative poetry, Rajani~
Thanks for reading, Jennifer. Lovely to see you on Substack. Just subscribed to your stack. Glad you liked this one!
Thank you so much, friend! It’s a pleasure to read you here as well~
I love this beautiful poem, especially the wild one, turning back as if with a message. And that promises should be trees, not clouds. Your writing carries such powerful messages, Rajani. Beautifully expressed.
Thanks so much, Sherry. Glad to be able to link my substack to the open link.
This poem is a reward for reading poetry. All adjectives I know, will be understatements.
Thank you, Sumana. That is so very kind. Glad you came to read on my Substack.
Beautiful poem. I really like the idea that “All things dissolve in kindness.” Important to realize right now.
Thank you, Mary. And I agree, at a time like this, we need all the kindness we can muster to create a softer world.
Wow stunningly beautiful Your poem is like a divine meal and these beautiful words and lines like tender, succulent bites.
Thanks so much, Marja. So glad you signed up to read on Substack. Much appreciated.
Absolutely stunning, Rajani. Without gentleness and kindness, how would we get through the pain?
Thank you, Dora. Glad you liked this poem. And yes we need much kindness and gentleness, especially now!
Loved every bit of this poem, Rajani. Like birds scatter ...beautiful.
Thanks so much, Nazish. I've been distracted all week, not looking closely at Substack. Are you doing Poetry month? Must read your poems.
Same here. It was Eid here. Poetry month? I don't know anything about that. Enlighten me, please.
A belated Eid Mubarak! April is Poetry month- some people write a poem-a-day. I did it a few times but not this year..too much going on!
Thank you :). I already write a poem a day - atleast I try to. In my Notes. :) Work keeping you busy?
"How the empty quarter of the page cradles your eyes at the end of a sorrowful poem."
There is so much in this poem that it overwhelms me, but this line is the first place I felt the gentleness both in sun and in fog, in all it's taxonomies. My favorite part is the last stanza where "all things dissolve in kindness." May tomorrow come.
Thank you, Susan. Am so glad you picked that line..it meant a lot to me!! May tomorrow come...and come gently!