First it was the woman
who waved at me
through the spring snow.
I didn’t take it personally,
her kindness, more like
an accident that I happened
to be there. Then it was
the woman who forgave me
for being confused
about when I was supposed
to arrive. Then the woman
who hugged me for no reason
at all. And the man who
looked up and smiled.
And the friend who
played me a tune.
Kindnesses inside every hour.
All day. It was like stumbling
on a word I’ve never heard before,
and suddenly—how could I
have missed it all this time—
it’s everywhere.