Courage

 Hull, 09/09/03

Courage is to get out of bed

To rise to the day

When everything wants to back down

And stay rooted under the duvet.

Courage is to boil the kettle

To toast another day

When it’s no different from any other

And looks likely to stay that way.

Courage is to put on clothes

And dress for the day

When there’s no one to look good for

When there’s no one coming out to play.

Courage is to open the door

And walk into the day

When there’s nothing ahead to fill it

Just the hope of something different,

Something good, something funny,

Something worth something

Happening, today.

Kindness

after an adult education creative writing class, Beverley, 09/09/03

A slight smile,

A vague twist of the lips,

A mumbled “hello”

And a quick dash to the back room.

You trembled there in the corner.

You looked visibly sick.

You stuttered and you stammered,

You laughed for no reason,

And then slumped down in your seat.

And they looked at you

And no one laughed,

No one sneered,

No one pitied you.

They just smiled.

Said they were glad to have you on board.

Said they remembered how it felt

The first time they came through the door.

Said, without saying a word,

That you were OK.

And then you smiled, shyly,

And then giggled,

Then giggled some more.

And then you thanked them

And stopped looking down at the floor.