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A Little Kindness Never Hurts

So very often I have come across
Bewildered hedgehogs running at a loss
On which direction best to wend their way
Through the dense traffic, much to their dismay.

Or heard the tweeting of a baby bird
Sprawled in discomfort, hungry, maybe hurt
Beneath the branches where its siblings rest
Inside the comfort of their cosy nest.

I’ve been alerted to the feeble cries 
Of a poor kitten which I localize
Trapped by its collar to a prickly hedge,
Stuck in a bundle on a narrow ledge.

My heart is fragile, feels for those in need
These helpless creatures I would surely heed.
For the same reason I could not be blind
To people’s problems – willing to be kind.

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"A Little Kindness Never Hurts"
A contest hosted by Brenda Chiri
Placed 1st
© 7th December 2018

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Angela Crabtree

Date: 12/18/2020 4:40:00 PM

Beautiful. I feel the same way, Paul. Hope you have a great weekend :)

Paul Callus
Date: 12/19/2020 3:31:00 AM

Thank you, Angela. May you too have a wonderful weekend :) Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/15/2019 8:19:00 PM

Oh I just love this one. I feel this way too about small animals. I am so happy to have finally seen this poem of yours. It's one that somehow got past me. Also i see it placed high. AWESOME and congrats.

Paul Callus
Date: 2/16/2019 8:22:00 AM

Thank you, Andrea; your lovely comments are appreciated. I'm glad we both think likewise regarding these small creatures! Have a nice weekend. // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/18/2018 10:30:00 AM

I am so pleased to return with my enthusiastic congratulations for your wonderful win, Paul. Your heartwarming poem of kindness reflects the beauty of your compassionate soul. It was a pleasure to reread this lovely piece. Warmest wishes for a happy Holiday season, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 12/18/2018 1:31:00 PM

Thank you, Susan; a return visit is as much appreciated as the first, and sometimes even more:) May I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a merry and blessed Christmas. Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Vladislav Raven

Date: 12/14/2018 5:03:00 AM

Hi Paul, congratulations on your win in the contest with this wonderful piece. it did read like a winner, holding all the kindness of a poetry gem. Your pen is surely singing my friend. This one touches the heart. It is always a pleasure and an honour to read your words Paul. A fave. Have a wonderful friday. Your friend always....Mike.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/14/2018 7:23:00 AM

Thank you very much, my friend. Your support and encouragement are always appreciated. May I wish you a lovely and peaceful weekend. // paul

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/12/2018 1:01:00 PM

This is such a touching and heartwarming write, Paul... I was immediately reminded of Emily Dickinson's, "If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking." Congrats on your well-deserved win. Best wishes, Gershon

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/13/2018 11:20:00 AM

Surely Emily's works are among the best known in the poetry community. A comparison to Emily is quite a compliment for Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/12/2018 2:53:00 PM

Thank you, Gershon. Walking in the shadow of Emily is not at all bad:) Regards // paul

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/12/2018 6:42:00 AM

Stopping back with congratulations on your win with this touching poem! Way to go, Paul Hugs, Carolyn

Paul Callus
Date: 12/12/2018 8:54:00 AM

Thank you, Carolyn...repeat visits are much appreciated:) Hugs // paul

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/12/2018 12:23:00 AM

So nice, kindness has many unexpected rewards!!

Paul Callus
Date: 12/12/2018 8:45:00 AM

Thank you, Arthur. He who giveth to the 'poor' shall not lack! Regards // paul

Mahtab Bangalee

Date: 12/11/2018 9:56:00 PM

beautiful poem shared

Paul Callus
Date: 12/12/2018 8:32:00 AM

Thank you, Mahtab. Regards // paul

J.W. Earnings

Date: 12/11/2018 5:09:00 AM

This is an amazing poem!! Speechless actually.. -JWE

Paul Callus
Date: 12/11/2018 12:04:00 PM

I love your reaction, JW...thank you!! regards // paul

Line Gauthier

Date: 12/10/2018 7:00:00 PM

Lovely poem, Paul. Congrats on your well deserved top win.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/11/2018 12:04:00 PM

Thank you for reading and liking, Line. Best regards // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/10/2018 1:47:00 PM

This is beautiful Paul! You have a kind sensitive soul as many poet's do. Animals need our help and protection, sometimes from cruel humans. But for the most part I feel humans have kindness in their hearts. Congratulations on your wonderful win! I just missed getting my entry posted in time. I got busy with Christmas. Happy holidays my dear friend! : ) xxoo

Paul Callus
Date: 12/11/2018 12:03:00 PM

Thank you, Connie. I too believe that most humans have kindness stored within them, ready to be shared. I read your 'missed' entry, and I am sure Brenda would have included it in the winners' list. Season's greetings to you and all yours! :) Regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/10/2018 1:04:00 PM

- Being kind is undoubtedly what people should put highest in everyday life - Congratulations on your winning poem, Paul :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus
Date: 12/11/2018 12:00:00 PM

Thank you, Anne-Lise:) Kindness costs nothing, yet it hands out great dividends. Hugs // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/9/2018 10:51:00 AM

The spirit of kindness shines with generous compassion and tender beauty in your inspiring poem, Paul. Such mercy truly nourishes the heart of the giver as well as the receiver. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes always for you, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 12/9/2018 12:06:00 PM

Thank you, dear Susan. Not only your poetry is beautiful, but so also are the comments which you leave on each and every visit that you pay! ~ Warm regards and hugs, my friend. // paul

Silent One

Date: 12/9/2018 10:40:00 AM

Beautiful words Paul..

Paul Callus
Date: 12/9/2018 11:47:00 AM

Thank you, S-1. Best regards // paul

Ravi Sathasivam

Date: 12/9/2018 1:45:00 AM

Excellent. Very much touched my heart deeply. Your kindness become gift to others. Good luck in the contest.Thanks for sharing it.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/9/2018 3:54:00 AM

Thank you, Ravi. Have just enjoyed reading your Christmas poem...very fitting for this time of year! Regards // paul

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/9/2018 1:13:00 AM

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals. The kindness in your heart is a gift to those around you, Paul. I love the examples you described so well, my friend. Some people talk the talk, but you also walk the walk. A sure winner! Hugs, Carolyn

Paul Callus
Date: 12/9/2018 3:51:00 AM

Thank you for the feedback and lovely comments, Carolyn. I expect that being kind would be something that comes naturally. You too are a person who I have known to show kindness in various ways, without expecting anything in return :) Hugs // paul

Eve Roper

Date: 12/9/2018 12:25:00 AM

nicely done , Paul, good luck in the contest.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/9/2018 3:32:00 AM

Thank you, Eve. Best seasonal greetings to you. // paul

Ricky Muse

Date: 12/8/2018 3:40:00 PM

This poem is layered with subtle rhymes and two-fold meaning. Very nice.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 3:52:00 PM

Thank you, Richard. Pleased to have you visiting. Regards // paul

Nette Onclaud

Date: 12/8/2018 2:42:00 PM

awhhh, i love animals and this beautiful poem captures the very essence of caring for these creatures... delightful paul... huggs

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 2:56:00 PM

So pleased you enjoyed this simple poem, Nette, whose main aim was to promote kindness, even if in small but significant doses. Thank you. Hugs // paul

Charles Messina

Date: 12/8/2018 1:00:00 PM

Great take on the contest, Paul well-done and best of luck...have a nice weekend!

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 2:26:00 PM

Thank you on all counts, Charles. A nice weekend to you, too! // paul

Constance La France

Date: 12/8/2018 11:09:00 AM

Paul, beautiful, this touched my heart deeply, I am sort of like this too, I always stop to help a person or animal in need, well done and a winner to me ~

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 2:25:00 PM

Thank you, Constance. I knew that I was surrounded by many kindhearted Soupers, and the comments that I've been receiving confirm that, including yours:) Hope you're enjoying the weekend. Regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/8/2018 10:09:00 AM

Hi Paul, a couple of years a go, in America, dont which which state or town, a mother duck and her 4 or 5 ducklings made the news because they weaved across 8 lanes of traffic without harm coming to any of them! Quite remarkable, maybe you were in one of the cars, and in your caring, kind way helped save the day. Warm regards, Jennifer.

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 2:12:00 PM

I remember the incident which you refer to, Jennifer. I believe that though I was not in one of them cars [thank you for the mention:)] the other drivers were kind enough to slow down and give them time to cross safely. Warm regards // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 12/7/2018 5:12:00 PM

These small actions mean so much Paul and I for one know how kind and generous you are especially helping this damsel in distress today lol:-) hugs Jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 12/8/2018 10:01:00 AM

As Tom said, acts of kindness cost nothing, but can mean a lot to those in need. It was my pleasure helping a fair damsel in distress, lol! Hugs // paul