Exploring Kindness in Modern Poetry

In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, poetry serves as a powerful medium to remind us of the importance of kindness. Modern poets have embraced this theme, crafting verses that inspire empathy, compassion, and understanding. Through their words, they encourage us to extend a helping hand, spread love, and create a more harmonious society. In this article, we will explore some remarkable modern poems that celebrate the virtue of kindness.

1. "Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye

One of the most celebrated contemporary poets, Naomi Shihab Nye, beautifully captures the essence of kindness in her poem aptly titled "Kindness." Nye's words remind us that kindness is not limited to grand gestures but rather thrives in the small, everyday moments. The poem reads:

"Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend."

Nye's poignant lines remind us that kindness blooms from a deep understanding of sorrow and compassion for others. It invites us to see the world through empathetic eyes and extend a helping hand to those who need it most.

2. "Kindness" by Eileen Carney Hulme

Eileen Carney Hulme, an Irish poet, explores kindness in a different light. Her poem "Kindness" emphasizes the transformative power of small acts of kindness. Here are a few lines from the poem:

"Kindness
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
...

Hulme's poem suggests that only by experiencing loss and vulnerability can we truly appreciate the profound impact of kindness. It encourages us to embrace the power of compassion and demonstrates that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a significant difference.

3. "Kindness" by Ryan Dowling McNamara

Ryan Dowling McNamara, a contemporary poet, presents a modern take on kindness in his poem "Kindness." His words explore the idea of kindness as a collective effort and the importance of fostering connections within our communities. Here is an excerpt:

"Kindness is a shared language
we must learn to speak again.
Start with the sound of our breaths,
the pause after laughter,
the sigh after tears.
Let it grow from there
until kindness becomes
a natural reflex.
A way of being
in a world that often forgets
the power of its own heart."

McNamara's poem reminds us that kindness is not an isolated act but a language that unites us all. It emphasizes the need to cultivate kindness as an inherent part of our being, nurturing connections and spreading positivity in a world that can sometimes forget its own capacity for compassion.

Modern poetry has the remarkable ability to evoke emotions, inspire change, and ignite a sense of kindness within us. These poems by Naomi Shihab Nye, Eileen Carney Hulme, and Ryan Dowling McNamara remind us of the power of empathy, compassion, and small acts of kindness. Through their verses, they encourage us to embrace kindness as a way of life, fostering a world where empathy and understanding prevail. Let us take inspiration from these poems and strive to make kindness a guiding principle in our own lives.