I carried in my chest
a heart frozen
like the wasteland of Siberia,
from the harm done to it
by one who had
abused my trust.
When I walked in that door,
I knew I was home.
Those kind people smiled
their sunshine on me
and melted my inner gulag
into puddles.
Kindness heals,
once we begin
to feel.
Brock and Friends Coffeehouse in 1980 Kelowna was an agent of change for me. I had known kind, gentle people must live somewhere on this earth, and there they were, giving me space just to be until, bit by bit, my guard went down and I began to bloom. I owe them a debt I can repay only by passing on that gift of kindness to others.
There is nothing like that feeling, when you melt away within kindness. Wonderful, Sherry!
ReplyDelete"Those kind people smiled
ReplyDeletetheir sunshine on me
and melted my inner gulag
into puddles."
More people need sanctuary than ever before, overwhelming the sweet oases you describe where kindness was generous. I want this for everyone and would like to figure out how to create this space in church or home. I think when it's most needed way will open to pay forward what was there for you and more than once for me.
A lovely lovely story. Like the references to gulags and Siberia.
ReplyDeleteGood read.
My wish is that your everyday is filled with that kind of kindness given and accepted!
ReplyDeleteA touching story of the kindness of strangers in action. Thank you for sharing this very personal story.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully expressed moment. I have showered with feeling
ReplyDeletemelted my inner gulag... so nicely put!
ReplyDeletea poem to be felt only...yes kindness does heal...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful heartfelt read this is Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderfully heart-stirring poem, Sherry ❤️ Indeed, kindness heals!
ReplyDelete"Kindness heals
ReplyDeleteOnce we begin
To feel".... ah, you nailed it, Sherry! One can experience the healing presence... What a beautiful piece!
And you do, Sherry. You really do.
ReplyDeleteYou walked in the door as a stranger, and left as a friend. Sweet story!
ReplyDeletetrue Sherry kindness is what we feel it is in the heart
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are back HOME again....at last once again among friends.
ReplyDeletei like the idea of an inner gulag. well i don't, but it's very descriptive. may we all escape our inner gulag.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, Sherry, you chose Siberia, with its gulags (prison camps), as your metaphor for your time of suffering. For myself, it's Atlantis and the rising Tsunami that sunk it, as I struggle to keep my head above the fast rising water, around me.
ReplyDelete