Kindness

it wasn’t messages of hope and encouragement 
that sowed themselves most deeply

nor rallying cries, pep talks
certainty or facts

it was, instead, a human pollen of words
borne on winds by strangers telling their own fragility

it was the expert who said she didn't have the answers
and allowed for quiet

it was the friend who looked you in the eye
for more than a blink or two, as if to say, come in

it was a smile illuminating a corridor or a whole day
it was dark humour daring you to tightrope-walk in tandem

it was hands held out unexpectedly
when you were falling

it was wisdom served simply 
like good food

it was repetition and persistence
and nothing that would win prizes

it was all these and something
so ordinary you nearly missed it that

 like a pinch of dried yeast
fermenting in darkness

promises nothing more spectacular
than a loaf of bread
​