The Kindness

The day was wet and dreary From my soured point of view. Dead-set eyes and sweaters Clothed the sadness that still grew. “You want to bet?” I said to him My intentions very clear. He said I’d never do it, Going through with it I’d fear. I will set with the sun I told myself, my life will end tonight No happy thoughts, no rainbows No other-self to fight. Even Human Urge betrayed me As I resolved to go Nothing fought against me As I took each movement slow. You cannot know the peace I felt Like soft rain in the spring To know my pain would end soon With no hope left for me to cling. “I dare you,” he said to me As tears traced down my face The sly snake used his power A common rich disgrace. Empty as my list of friends And cold as winter’s heart, I drew upon my meager strength To fight to live through art. Assignment: draw a clothespin In white upon the black I trembled to lift the pencil Or the paper from the stack. Upset grew indigenous To my fragile little heart I failed, I failed, I failed again Before I had begun to start. I tried again to concentrate Bringing white down close to black But my eyes clouded with tears As panic threatened an attack. Soft spoken words I heard then A dove amongst the rubble I drove them out at once Kindness always came with trouble. But fight it did against my walls Breaking down their strength For feebleness was my virtue And they couldn’t hold at length. “That looks good,” the kindness said With eyes set on my work I stumbled out a “thank you” Defeat accepted, plans reworked Tender eyes showed me laughter In a time where none could thrive Sweet words then reminded me Of a reason to be alive. “He matters not” A new voice said, speaking of the snake. In moments I resolved to live Knowing what was at stake. I shan’t forget the kindness That moved me on that day. Sweet words can mean so much When they show someone the way. The snake is chopped to bits now And the kindness close at heart. Alive and thriving with help Found on that fateful day in art.