I wrote this poem in December of 2012, a few days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting. A friend suggested I write a poem about kindness. This is what emerged.
Still timely. Still relevant. Perhaps more than ever.
True North
The news is not all bleak.
I know a man who
every morning prays
for opportunities to serve.
Could be as simple as a smile. Lending an ear. Yielding in traffic.
It seems he’s not the only one.
Did you hear?
About the kindergarten teacher who gave
her kidney to her student’s dad
so he could see his little boy grow up
Or the couple
who tipped their waiter—
whose car lightning had destroyed—
five grand
to go and get another
Or the Hummer hero
who pulled in front of a speeding sports car
cell phone distracted
to save a group of children in the crosswalk.
Mettle on metal.
No one was injured.
True story. I could go on. About the
eight-year old
who gave his life savings—
three hundred dollars—
to neighbors
whose trailer had burned
and the panhandler who saw
a man realize he unwittingly
dropped his wedding ring and change
into a street musician’s case.
She tracked the saxophonist
then waited for the man
three weeks
till he again walked by.
The ring found its groom
the circle of love reunited.
Do you know
the 13-year old
beard barely sprouting
who donated his bar mitzvah gifts of thirteen thousand
to heal the facial wounds of veterans?
Perhaps he could write the book
on becoming a man.
Or the Secret Santa
who handed C-notes
to those severely slammed by Sandy—
to the tune of
one hundred grand?
We may never know his name.
Random?
“I didn’t think they made people like that anymore.”
They do. They’re here.
They’re everywhere.
Not superheroes.
The teacher next door
the cop on the corner
children who haven’t (yet) learned
that they don’t have time
to care.
It’s you and me. Or rather
Us.
Some grateful.
Some fallen from grace.
Or so we think.
It’s here.
Not fantasy. Nor another planet.
And now.
It could be Christmas. Or August 17th.
The ice is melting everywhere
When you give a man boots in New York
Hearts are warmed in Shanghai.
We may never know
how
words or deeds
we shared
will land
or when
All we know is thank you.
Somewhere, somehow
spaceship earth has fallen off
course and now
careening through the blackness
I wonder
Are we lost?
I don’t think so. Not yet.
But by what compass can we
steer her back?
It doesn’t take
a genius
an act of Congress
or even an act of God
to hold the door
and help your neighbor
with her groceries
To smile and relinquish
being right
even if you are
To cherish
peace
more than power
Nothing matters
save this.
Must we lose everything
to remember?
The teacher locked in the bathroom with her class
Thinking they’re on their last breath
together
tells them
over and over and over
I love you
You are so loved
You are so loved
I love you
Because if this is it,
that’s the last thing she wants them to hear
Where did she go to school?
Who steps out and takes a bullet
or twenty
Mothers of the universe
have no time for debates
when they’re protecting the herd.
No, we are not yet lost.
We may be adrift
but even as waves
give rise to tortuous tempests
a teen puts a note in a bottle
and sends it sailing into the surf
wishing great joy
to whomever finds it
And five years later,
they do.
Surprise a friend. Pay someone’s way. Stop for a stranger.
Tell your kids you love them
And please
Please
hold them close.
When the world is shattered –
kindness.
It may be our only hope.
And our only way home.
Susan Drouilhet
Yes…and yes. Beautiful, Susan. Thank you for writing and sharing with us. Love, Cynthia
Thank you, Cynthia! Blessings…
Thanks, Sue, a lovely way to orient this new year.
… and each and every day… Thanks, Louise.
Oh so inspiring, thank you for that Susan,
hugs, Sharon
Hugs to you, Sharon. Happy New Year!
Thank you Susan. Kindness is the best self defense. Your poem and sharing has proven that once again.
Thank you, Joe. And I think with kindness, the notion of self and defense perhaps fall away?
Wonderful post Susan,
thanks for sharing this. The stories and the lyrical style are great. I’ve been blogging about good news lately too. We all benefit by not only doing these acts of kindness, but by hearing about them.
blessings, brad
Thanks, Brad. The research for the poem was fun, too. So nice to focus one’s energies on what’s right with the world. More of that! 🙂
Haola, terrific and so full of you
Haola = All is well, So be it. To remember that amidst all the tumult of a day (never mind a life) is a practice in and of itself! Thank you, Guma!
With tears of joy, I read your amazing poem, Susan, and say, “Yes, yes, yes.” Thank you for sharing your heart. Happy New Year. Haola.
Denise – I just cleared off of my refrigerator a bunch of those word magnets, and the only one I kept says, “Yes!” Yes, yes, yes! 🙂
thank you dear friend, for recognizing and clearly articulating the higher truth of our hearts. And, for the reminder. you are loved.
Thank you, Grace. So much goodness to behold…
Great poem Susan. A good reminder that we are all here on this planet together and the only true purpose that we have, is to help and serve one another
Thank you, Kevin. Your comment reminds me of the quote by Meister Eckhart: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is, ‘Thank you,’ it will be enough.”
Nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.
It’s easy
Thank you Susan
All we need is love…
and a little help from our friends!
Thanks, Jay!
lovely…
may we all find heartspace to give and serve freely
Yes. Thank you, Bill.
Thank you, Dear One. As a true “Mother of the Universe” you have “birthed” a beautiful poetic reflection of our truest selves, setting the compass of our hearts “True North” indeed. One of your best yet. Thank you for sharing this with us all, and a special thanks for personally sharing it with my father to help him celebrate his first Christmas/New Year without Mom in over seventy years. It’s SO important to be reminded of why we are really here.
I think of chopping and stacking wood as “real work.” I think of kindness as “real reason.” Thanks, Dennis.
Heartwarming and healing reminder of who we really/also are.
Received this video today – matches your poem.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=1gpw9KkMFG4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1gpw9KkMFG4&gl=SE
Thank you, Suzanne. I love the silence of the video, just watching so many acts of kindness unfold. Wonder-ful.
WOW SUSAN ! HOW BEAUTIFUL AND HEART WARMING. YOU ARE AMAZING IN YOUR LIVING OF LIFE. I HAVE KNOWN YOU FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT I HAVE GAINED SO MUCH JUST BEING IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GRACIOUS SPIRIT WITH ME AND OTHERS. WHAT A GIFT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
Thank you, dear Charlotte. What a gift you are in my life and in so many others’ lives as well. Always a delight…
True North just brought me to tears, opening my heart wide and stirring many memories. Sandy Hook was in my backyard here in Connecticut. Memories of Sita’s Light Kirtan Band and the emotional times we were a part of offering sacred chant to heal the community.
Your words resonate and radiate the goodness and the light we were seeking in the midst of dark moments.
In Love and Deep Gratitude,
Suan
Thank you, Suan, for sharing your reflections and for all the light and song and healing you bring to the world. 🙏