by Carol Gioia

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: March 19, 2010

A passerby bumped into him,
he didn't know her name.
She offered no apology,
he smiled just the same.

How could he know her spirit soared,
despite her child was ill.
She was rushing home from work,
and had no time to kill.

She spoke kindly to the doctor's nurse,
who had troubles of her own,
her husband had abandoned her,
with five children still at home.

The kindness prompted the harried nurse,
to go home and hug her kids,
and tuck them in all safe and warm,
which she rarely ever did.

Her middle child went to school next day,
and refrained from bullying another.
The teacher was glad, and so was the classmate,
who went home and told his mother.

The mother celebrated her child's good day,
with a lovingly prepared special dinner
Her spouse was pleased with his happy family,
and felt like a real winner.

In gratitude he went to church,
and gave more than his usual donation,
to benefit the homeless shelter,
causing much elation.

So many lives impacted,
kindness reigning all the while.
Who would have thought, this could all be wrought,
by one random stranger's smile.

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