Be Kind he said, be kind

glory be for damaged things

for butterflies with broken wings

for birds that can not chirp or sing

on mornings when the sun

won't shine

and for that rose whose petals fell

upon the crazy paving's path

whose loveliness you

once did praise

don't let that memory slip away

with thoughts of tincture and

decay

or for the friends who broke your trust

like rust upon an iron chain

increasing with the falling rain

don't focus on the sorrow felt

but more upon the joy they gave

for all the hurts that wound your mind

whose marks have left behind a scar

recall the positives instead

regardless of the damage done

don't harbour all the tears he said

reach out to grasp a smiling sun

consideration is a plus

compassion in this world a must

be kind he said be kind

Reviews

[lightsong]

to say this is a masterpiece would be underrated, I don't know how You even managed to compose the first two verses, they are not only beautiful, they hold rare beauty that beauty where life's essence flows, perfect poem in these holy times... heavenly written from again such a wise elegant and fair Lady.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear lightsong for that very generous review. Apologies for the delay in thanking you.
read moreThank you dear lightsong for that very generous review. Apologies for the delay in thanking you.

Chris

[lightsong]

NEVER apologize for such a thing my dear, please take care of yourself and recover soon🤗

[Chris Shaw]

Many, many thanks.

[lightsong]

~~~~✨💕✨~~~~

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem is so well versed and rich in meaning. I like how the ending came down to the simple thematic word "kind". I enjoyed reading this poem of yours. Tyfs

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your visit Cyprian and your encouragement. Thank you so much.

Chris

[jennifer little]

another great poem loved reading it keep up the good work and never stop writing

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jennifer for your kind review.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

And he was right! My credo in life has always been "you cannot control what people do to you. You can only control how you respond to it." Striving to be kind, gentle, loving, merciful, and forgiving isn't easy. But it is so very important. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. The phrasing is just so lovely and the images and contrasts strike home with such poignancy. Another stellar effort!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Zoe for your encouraging review. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Don't Harbour all the tears he said ... wise words, We can not hold on too tightly or for too long anything in this world, for to do so will only bring pain. Everything and one is constantly moving in different directions too hold on too long rips us apart violently. Better to sieze the moment for oneself than to give fate the satisfaction. These thoughts I gathered from this poem well done bravo!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Gideon. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. All the best to you.

read moreMany thank yous Gideon. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. All the best to you.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Hi Chris,
Such a heartfelt poem..Really like it..
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, thank you so much. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Hope you are feeling better than when we last talked.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome

[mou]

Uplifting words... much needed for me at this time, probably.
I was just thinking that I'm not alone and it's the reason behind my endless love for this platform. You've expressed all these truths of life with an effortless, poetic pen. After a long, I'm here. I would love to read your works that I missed in this period.
-mou

[Chris Shaw]

Dear mou, thank you for leaving me a beautiful and thoughtful review. So good to find you back here. All the best for you always.

Chris

[Ayvid N]

A great way to look at life. Cherish he positives and try, difficult as it is, to overlook the hurting stuff. There is so much negativity around that if we let ourselves be affected by all of it then we'd be weeping forever. Loved your words here and how beautifully you put forth the message, dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

My Dad has been thirty years gone, and yet I still recall so clearly his thoughts and philosophy on life. Thank you DIVYA for checking this one out and ta Dad for the inspiration :)

Chris

[Gee]

So much easier said than done to forgive those that have slighted us, eh !
I know so many folk that traipse through life hauling all manner of emotional baggage with them, some of which is unbelievably trivial.
I'm very much a forgive, forget fella, life is far to short to be wasting time and energy on stuff that has little or no impact on my life
Good morning Christine, hope all is well in Berks

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Gee. I am of the opinion that life is too short to bear grudges. Best just get over it. All OK here, albeit rather wet and miserable. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Gee]

Aye, all good in dreary MK. Waiting for the good lady to rise then out with the hound :))

[Chris Shaw]

Have fun :))

[Anjeline]

Wonderfully written. It has a sense of comfort in it that even though sometimes things don't work out but we should still be kind to one another and remember the good things.

Also these lines are very good-
" for all the hurts that wound your mind
whose marks have left behind a scar
recall the positives instead
regardless of the damage done
don't harbour all the tears he said "

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Angeline. Good to see you and a big thank you for stopping by to review. All the best.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

You are a genuine poet, Chris. I love every word in this, as each one touches my heart with truth and beauty. With so much cruelty in the world, this message should be sang to the rooftops. Just recently, I know of a person who didn't go to her own brother's funeral because of a petty grudge she'd held for decades. So, so sad. It costs us not a thing to be kind. And to forgive, if appropriate.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sam, thank you for a delightful review and for sharing. Good to see you and may I wish you a belated happy abd healthy new year.

Chris