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]

~~~~✨💕✨~~~~

[Karmee]

This is such a wonderful write....

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for another review CHJ. I appreciate your thoughts. Seasons greetings to you abd yours.read moreThank you for another review CHJ. I appreciate your thoughts. Seasons greetings to you abd yours.

Chris

[Karmee]

hope you have wonderful holidays

[red93]

Excellent poetic essay on the value of self-forgiveness and healing. Loads of nice phrases and lines included here - 'compassion in this world a must' being a stand-out line. Definitely a Piece that I will come back to and re-read in the future.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Tony and thank you fir stopping by with a lovely review. Have a good Monday. All the best

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Chris, this is so lovely. It is true, when a friendship ends, we too often dwell on the bad times. There were good times though and we have to remember them...cherish them. The rhyming and rhythm of your words is flawless here. Such wise life advice given us through your words. Merry Christmas, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Lydi"". Have a lovely Christmas. Sending you all good wishes across the pond.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Life contains both "yin and yang," dark and light, good and evil. This poem makes the case that focusing on the positive is more desirable than holding a grudge, or getting stuck in the negative. It's hard to argue with the benefits of that approach to life - unless it goes too far and ends up being denial of the suffering that exists in the world, for it is perhaps a more efficient teacher than joy at times.

The poem is very well-written, and the images at the beginning are very pictorial and vivid.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Laz for sharing your thoughts. No chance of denial. All too aware of the suffering that goes on in parts of the world. Really appreciate you stopping by and I send my best wishes.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Such beautiful sentiments, gentle and empathetic, Chris Seems you understand the way people feel and then interpret their emotions as perhaps even the individuals themselves cannot. So many people make believe these days even during this wretched pandemic. Yet you forge on with your gentle yet almost fragile ability to creep into places unseen by - let's say, the more cynical. Beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello dear Em. Hope you are keeping safe and well. Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts on this poem. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

boy am i blessed by this one, Chris! well done .. wonderful imagery .. "..thoughts of tincture and
decay" .. wow! being thankful is something we have to practice .. and the best time for character building is when things do not go our way, as your poem so beautifully points out .. praying for our "enemies" .. those who we have personality or goal conflicts with .. those who betray .. things taken from us ... being thankful for the hurt .. praying for them for things we want for ourselves ... then we grow .. become more what God the Father made us to be .. seems a hard thing to do .. but .. really .. it isn't .. once we get the hang of it .. love this poem .. so inspiring .. and at a time we celebrate Jesus Christ coming into the world .. to show us the way home .. thanks for sharing ma'am!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Mr E, from across the pond. Thank you for your lovely review. So pleased you like this one. Life is too short to harbour grudges. All the best to you always.

Chris

[Emily B]

It's beautiful, kind, lilting. So very glad I found my way here.

[Chris Shaw]

Emily, I thank you. Pleased you stopped by too. All good wishes.

Chris

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Be Kin he said, be kind'
Chris,
Take a breath when the heart is hard and remember the softness now gone. To revisit what was once real as now. This is a theme that comes to my mind and you have caught the feeling of this reality. Is it gratitude which is the attitude we must focus?
Loved your reminder to take our own minds in hand.
Bless you,
Kathy

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Kathy for your lovely review. Sending all good wishes from across the pond.
read moreThank you dear Kathy for your lovely review. Sending all good wishes from across the pond.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

That's beautiful. I especially liked these lines:
or for the friends who broke your trust
like rust upon an iron chain
I liked the metaphor of the rust on the iron chain (or simile?). It reminded me of a time, years ago, when a friend broke my trust. That was something to work through, but I was able to forgive her (though not trust her again).

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Shelley and for sharing your own experience. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

You're welcome Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Honest words and thoughts shared dear Chris.
"reach out to grasp a smiling sun
consideration is a plus
compassion in this world a must
be kind he said be kind"
I loved the ending. Finding a safe place, we must find. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Coyote for your lovely review. All good wishes to you and yours from across the pond.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.