The Friend I Never Knew

So, I wanted to show a little more upbeat tone in my next post.  I don't write like this often - maybe I am just too focused on "deeper" emotions like loss and pain or trying to express my feelings about challenges.  Not that gratitude can't be a deep emotion - it certainly can.

Nonetheless, I decided to post a poem of thanks to the person who does some kindness (seen or unseen).  We don't ever really get to thank those people who could have taken that parking spot, but let us have it instead, or the person who left the coupon on the shelf for the thing we were going to buy anyway, or showed kindness in a thousand other small ways.

This is a bit whimsical and certainly employs hyperbole, but I think that's secretly how we feel sometimes when things like this happen.  So here's to you awesome do-gooders!

The Friend I Never Knew                               

So strange how joy sparks in my brain

Like gumdrops falling from the rain,

It’s just my day was very bad

(like one I wish I’d never had).

And then some stranger did this thing

That helped me out, and Wow! then Ding!

My mind and day turned upside down,

A smile changing from a frown.

It’s silly really, that I know.

-- I may not fully let it show.

And words don’t seem to be enough

For fixing days that seem so rough.

But here it is. This poem’s for you;

And thank you friend I never knew.

written by Richard Bailey on July 27, 2009