Alone, down and dull, lost in my thoughts, at a chaotic airport I stood in a queue
A raspy voice said, “after you”, my heart warmed, my eyes teared
In a toxic world, small acts of kindness seem so grandeur
Overwhelmed and tired, in my rusty hometown I sat in a bank waiting for my turn
A familiar voice said, “you haven’t aged a bit”, my mood changed, my soul fluttered
In a hateful world, small acts of connection seem so grandeur
Sitting on a rickshaw, dirt all around, stuck in traffic I braved the scorching heat
A vendor on the side handed out a chilled water bottle, I offered to pay, he declined
In an ugly world, beauty of the simplest acts of kindness seems so grandeur
Standing in the middle of a sweaty crowd, I listened intently to patients in dire need
A frail woman leaned on and said, “this is exactly what we need,” my spirit soared
In an unjust world, the reassurance of a frail woman seems so grandeur
Confused and exhausted, I sat in a store sifting through packs of clothing
A stranger said, “anything will look good on you”, my heart swelled, my cheeks blushed
In a stingy world, casual compliments seem so grandeur
Escaping the heat and dust outside, I stood in the elevator and sneezed
A friendly voice said, “bless you” my spirit felt at peace, my mind calmed
In a chaotic world, a fleeting moment of care seem so grandeur
Saddened to see my gravely ill friend, I sat in the corner of a hospital ward
A thoughtful gaze met mine, nothing was said, my heart felt understood
In a reckless world, the power of unspoken acknowledgement seem so grandeur
Meeting old friends at a dinner last night, I wondered if I meant anything to anyone
A familiar voice said, “your presence changes everything,” my heart melted in gratitude
In a selfish world, shared moments, simple acknowledgments seem so grandeur
In a world spinning in haste and hurry, small acts of kindness bear a solemn pause
In a world driven by fear and mistrust, gracious acts of kindness deserve an applause
In a world circling at a reckless pace, quiet acts of kindness serenade sacred hymns
In a world obsessed with cruelty, simple acts of kindness reassure, restore, heal and cure
Soft acts of kindness are a symphony of grace, a defiant act of love, a quiet rebellion
Dr Samina Salim, Associate Professor Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston
