Efficiency
Can sometimes be mistaken for bluntness
And laughter
For making fun of …
A word that was said
or written
Has several connotations
depending on the ear
the eye
of the beholder.
Raindrops fall without wondering how they’ll land
All you can do is apologise
For misunderstandings
But never for yourself
You are nature in motion
evolving
Let yourself grow
Header photo: Kalbari national park. Tree growing out of a rock.
Trees never cease to astonish me with their resilience.
Nature grows wherever it is planted. Trees in rocks. Weeds in gardens. Wildflowers strewn alongside roadsides. Ferns growing out of high rise gutters. One small perfect daisy smiling from a crack in the pavement.
There is no need for apology.
Floods flood wherever they want. Bushfires burn until extinguished, and even then they still emit menacing little puffs of smoke. Ants invade homes. Emus will wander through towns. Plagues of beetles make life hell for people and mosquitos don’t give a fig if you can’t sleep for the sound of them.
In all the years that I have frowned at rain when it came my way and I didn’t want it that day…it has never once apologised and stopped. Because that is what rain does, it drops.
My point? If you have taken all the precautions of courtesy and kindness, then someone else’s problem lies in their willingness to be offended, and it has nothing to do with you.
Keep shining 💫
I agree with this thought, and you expressed it so well. You are only responsible for being kind in the delivery. The interpretation belongs to someone else. Great poem and post.
Thanks so much for letting me know your thoughts. As a writer, we don’t know how something is going to land with someone else; humans and their filters of experience are so diverse that such a thing leads to overthinking, in which case I wouldn’t write at all. Have a great day.
No need for apologies; just keep growing! <3
~David
Absolutely David, and thank you. I was just thinking about how often we question ourselves, and perhaps it is wise, to a point. But if we are constantly troubling ourselves over the possibilities, then really, we are doubting the Spirit that writes, paints, sings, and revels through our beings. The channel becomes closed. What good in that? For anyone?
A gorgeous poem, Kate. Grace, understanding, forgiveness, and unconditional love are a few motifs that come to mind. This is a keeper! 🙏🏻
Thanks Michelle ✨💕
Welcome, thank you for the empowering poem. 💖
wonderfully inspirational, Kate: great ending —
Thanks John ✨
I liked your beautiful image and enjoyed reading your poem and your reflections
Thanks for sharing with us.
My pleasure Luisa 💫
🙏❣️🙏
Wow i needed to hear this! I try but sometimes there are misunderstandings. We come from different places and experiences so of course there are! I love the rain vision, that’s what it does that’s what it is. Have a good day ☔️🌈
Thanks Martha, have a lovely day 😊
Kate, this is exquisite–the parallel of nature’s “communication” and interpretation to ours. Rain just falls. How I react to the storms and beauty around me are all up to me. I’ll keep trying to be a “force” of kindness–and some may even take that wrong. But I need not worry. It has nothing to do with me. How often do we share this with young people, yet, we live in a world that is so easily offended? You’re a beautiful and wise human, Kate. Your writing is brilliance! Much love ❤️
Karla, If I’m at wise in any small measure it comes from being incredibly naive when I was younger. I have made so many mistakes and the times when I have said exactly what landed in my mouth without thinking and then overthinking and driving myself nuts later thinking oh I shouldn’t have said that…if I could have a dollar for all those moments, I would be rich.
But if we learn the lessons from the mistakes, we actually do become richer. In the only way that matters. And all the money in the world I would give just to be able to offer the right words of comfort to someone I love in a time of darkness. That is the only sort of wealth that matters to me. ❤️💫
Beautiful, Kate. Yes. I understand. My failures tripped me flat on my faith. I feel as you–to comfort others, to give hope and humanity–it’s worth more to me than anything. I’m so happy we’re connected in these ways. I just had an experience since typing you which solidifies why I love being here, in this space, with so many like-minded souls. Let’s be filthy rich together! ❤️
Hahaha yes filthy rich! Wisdom flowing out our coffers and catching in politicians pockets, now there would be a thing X
Ha! Yes! X