A Woman Cried
A woman cried on the subway train.
It, somehow, made me teary-eyed
to think the world could see her pain!
A woman cried.
I’m sure she fought till she could hide
inside her room, yet couldn’t restrain;
the comfort of her bed, denied.
What made her break? What could explain?
A toddler moved to sit beside
her, offering her his candy cane.
The woman cried.
© 2015 B. J. Lee. All rights reserved.
Rebecca M. Davis has challenged us to write poems about acts of kindness this month– the more specific and vivid the better. Click HERE for more details.
Send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday, November 27th, and one lucky participant will win copies of two delightful picture books published by Boyds Mills Press: THIS ORQ. (HE CAVE BOY.) and THIS ORQ. (HE SAY "UGH!") by David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols.
A simple act of kindness can certainly make me cry. What a lovely roundel by B.j.!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful this is, Michelle. A poignant scene made even more beautiful with your images.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa. It's a poignant memory I have from my time living in Cambridge and commuting to Boston on the T.
DeleteThank you, Linda!
DeleteThanks for posting my poem, Michelle! As soon as you posted Rebecca M. Davis' challenge, this scene came to mind and the poem soon followed. Sometimes I found riding the T a little depressing, especially in the winter, and particularly if someone is crying! But this little boy brightened up everyone's day with his innocent act of kindness!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, BJ. You touched my heart with this one. I have been both the witness of people crying in public and the one fighting off tears. Why is it that a toddler can offer such a beautiful gesture, while the rest of us just sit there awkwardly, not knowing what to do? It must have been a sight to see.
DeleteYes, it's TERRIBLE to cry in public. I have done it too. I think strangers may want to help, but they don't know you, so that holds them back. Plus, the subway is a weird scenario to begin with. The tension in the subway car was palpable and the little boy totally broke through it w/his innocent gesture, making everybody feel better.
DeleteI have also been on both sides of this this is so moving Thank You
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica! So terrible to cry in public w/no one to comfort you and no comforts of home.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is very touching, BJ. I could relate to the woman and how difficult it can be hold back the tears. I love the way you show how seemingly small acts of kindness can mean so much. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! Yes, small acts of kindness can do a lot!
ReplyDeleteThis is simply beautiful. It really tells a story. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rosi!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, BJ! I love it. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAppreciations to that little boy.
ReplyDeleteWe need more like him in our world.
You were meant to remember that moment so that we could share it, B.J.
(Our daughter lives in Cambridge & rides those same Ts...)