Some people
like to say
what’s wrong
with this person
or that person
And of course,
we’re all
such easy pickings . . .
Perhaps existence is,
in some way,
divided
into what’s wrong,
right,
and unimportant
between good, bad
and gray
love, hate
and indifference,
heaven, hell
and purgatory
If that sort
of understanding
is useful
then
there’s a simple measure
for knowing
which of these worlds
we,
in each of our moments,
are in
One that
people
animals
plants
insects
all bits of existence
which may or might
be sentient
know instantly
Because you know
and others do too
when you’re being kind
and when you’re not
Kind to another
fellow creature
or to yourself
or to a time
or a set of circumstances
Thinking,
reflecting,
or expressing and acting
with kindness
and appreciation
of what is there
in front of you
all around you
or a part of you
Seeing
hearing
feeling
and understanding
And being thankful
Knowing
the moment
and the bits of life
and existence
sharing the moment
with you
Simple gift
for being
sentient creatures
It’s a simple measure
of who and where you are
Ask yourself
In this moment
is there kindness
unkindness
or simply
indifference
Being humans
love is, perhaps,
beyond us
a mystery
beyond our understanding
. . .
But kindness we can do
and recognize
in ourselves
and others
Kindness is the
measure
of how close we can get
to the divine
To love and light
Kindness is a measure
The real miracle
is that we can
be kind
in our thoughts
and actions
Can approach love
with
Kindness
Our heaven
Unkindness
Our hell
Indifference and
ignorance
Our purgatory
. . .
And, having will,
we are blessed
We choose
in each moment
where we
live