Poetry

Defining Kindness

Kim, age 5
Kindness is when your mommy reads you an extra-long bedtime story,
even if it is way past your bed time
Ivy, age 7
Kindness is when you break your favorite crayon,
but your seat buddy lets you borrow hers
Nathan, age 10
Kindness is when your Grandma makes you a really dorky sweater,
but you wear it anyway to make her happy
Dylan, age 11
When you score the winning goal during a big game,
And the other team shakes you hand and congratulates you
Natalia, age 14
Kindness is when nobody laughs and points during your first audition,
And clap after you hit the last note
Emily, age 17
When you fail your driver’s test,
And the instructor reminds you that there’s time for corrections during the next 2 weeks
Sebastian, age 20
After staying up to study for my final midterm,
there was free coffee in the dining hall
Savannah, age 22
I graduated with high honors,
with the full support and funding from my family and school
Iris, age 25
Finding fresh flowers and a welcoming party at my desk,
On the first day of my new job
Sabrina, age 28
The warm caress of my new mother,
After marrying her son, the love of my life
Carson, age 31
Donating some money around the holidays,
Just to show them I care
Omar, age 37
Family picnic during the summer,
My youngest picks me a handful of weeds
Martha, age 43
Mother’s day,
My children made paper Mache flowers and macaroni slippers
Flynn, age 49
Dropping my son off for his first day of college,
“Thanks for everything” he says
Opel, age 55
Saving the scrape of my sandwich,
And feeding the birds
Rudy, age 66
Sunday morning with my grandchildren
They make breakfast
Ted, age 81
Kindness is comfort

1 Comment

  1. Clare Mohan Reply

    I really like this poem especially due to the format. It is really different and makes it interesting to read. The way you included names and ages makes the poem even more unique and personal

Reply To Clare Mohan Cancel Reply