Poems about kindness celebrate the beauty of compassion, empathy, and goodwill. They underscore the significance of small acts of kindness, the warmth of a kind word, or the comfort of a sympathetic ear.
The poet uses gentle, heartfelt language to convey the transformative power of kindness, often highlighting its ability to illuminate even the darkest moments.
These verses serve as a gentle reminder to the reader of the profound impact of kindness on the world and the importance of nurturing this virtue.
Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market,’ narrates the fantastical tale of Laura and Lizzie, delving into sin, redemption, and sisterhood.
Lizzie's selfless sacrifice for Laura depicts her pure kindness, compassion, and deep love for her as she endures goblins' mockery, abuse, and violence to get the antidote for her sister. It also makes Lizzie a redeemer, savior, or Christ-like figure, as the poem alludes to Christian myths throughout, right from Laura's temptation, indicating core Christian values of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, redemption, and selflessness. Moreover, Lizzie cared for Jeanie, too, and planted daisies near her grave. Rossetti was also a devout Anglo-Catholic and worked for the rescue of 'fallen women' (symbolized by Laura) with a Christian organization. Thus, Lizzie's goodness and pure kindness are likely rooted in Christian values.
‘Any Human to Another’ by Countee Cullen connects humans through the shared experience of sorrow, advocating empathy and compassion.
The emotion of kindness is interweaved with empathy and compassion in the poem. It presents kindness and empathy as innate universal human reactions to the sorrows of others; for instance, it repeatedly uses 'must' while presenting these reactions, such as in 'Your every grief / Must strike me down'— this 'must' also implies that if it does not, there is something gravely wrong, thus likely implying that the innate reactions of kindness and empathy towards others are what makes us human or are the characteristic features of humanness. Further, it promotes the act of kindness towards all humans regardless of any differences.
The poem ‘Lepidoptera’ is a metaphorical representation of a mentally ill mind, likened to a broken butterfly wing. The poet is imploring society to support those with mental illness.
In this poem, the poet emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion, particularly towards those who suffer from mental illness. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, he highlights the fragility of the mind and the devastating impact of mental illness on a person's life. The narrator's sense of powerlessness in the face of mental illness underscores the importance of empathy and understanding for those who suffer from mental health issues.
On broken butterfly wing,
your crippled mind fluttered into my schoolroom. Failed. And died.
The ‘Coronation’ by Helen Hunt Jackson can be considered a literary work that represents the topic of power and its instability, the worth of humility, and the desire for self-knowledge.
The poem brings out kindness during the interaction between the beggar and the king, by the latter’s kindness of asking the beggar how he became a beggar when he was a king. Although the regimes of the beggar and the king were so different, there is a wonderful friendly approach of the beggar, seen in how softly he replies. Such depiction of actual concern creates a sensation of compassion, which can be said that there is an encouraging result of a humane touch.
‘Cuddle Doon’ by Alexander Anderson is a poem about a mother trying to persuade her children to go to sleep. It uses Scots dialect to convey the culture of the speaker and her family.
The mother is careful to be kind to her children, getting them food and drink when they ask, tucking them in, and looking on them fondly as they sleep. She and her children seem to be in cahoots, as they pretend to sleep and she tells their father that they went to bed long ago.
‘Kindness’ by Sylvia Plath examines the limits of superficial comforts through striking metaphors, questioning the effectiveness of kindness in alleviating deep emotional pain.
Naturally, kindness is a pervasive emotion throughout the poem. It is depicted not just as a simple act but as a character that interacts with the environment of the narrator. This personification of kindness explores its complexity and the profound impact it can have on one’s life, both positively and negatively.
‘Laughing Song’ from Blake’s collection ‘Songs of Innocence’ celebrates the innocent and pure joy found among nature and children.
The unity and compassion among all participants coveys the presence of kindness among them. The pure joy shared by everyone reflects kindness, as nature and people contribute to the collective enjoyment. From the laughter of the natural world to the shared table of cherries and nuts, each element symbolizes nature and humanity's inherent kindness, as the speaker even invites readers to partake in the joyous celebration.
‘The Shepherd’ by William Blake unveils pastoral splendor, echoing sweet praises, symbolizing innocence, and intertwining nature’s mystique with spirituality.
This poem elicits kindness through the shepherd's tender care for the flock. The poem's portrayal of the shepherd's watchfulness and responsiveness to the lambs' calls suggests a compassionate and kind guardianship. The shepherd's presence becomes a symbol of benevolence, fostering a sense of warmth and empathy within the pastoral landscape and inviting readers to appreciate the inherent kindness in the shepherd's actions.
‘Have You Earned Your Tomorrow’ by Edgar Guest presents a number of probing questions to a reader about how they spend their days.
Kindness is clearly the strongest emotion present in this poem. Almost every line points to it—whether through greetings, helpful acts, or thoughtful behavior. The poem doesn’t show kindness through big moments, but instead focuses on small everyday actions that carry quiet importance. It leaves you with the feeling that being kind really matters. For a short poem, it offers a consistent message that makes kindness feel both important and achievable in daily life.
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
‘A Curse for a Nation’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning explores societal injustices and moral decay through varied stanza structures and rhyming schemes.
The poem evokes the emotion of kindness through the speaker's recognition of benevolent gestures extended by others. Despite the overarching critique of societal injustices, the speaker acknowledges the kindness of brothers across the sea, highlighting moments of compassion and generosity. This portrayal of kindness amidst moral decay elicits a sense of empathy and warmth, resonating with readers' emotions.
‘Religio Laici’ by John Dryden is a reflective discourse in unadorned verse that explores faith, reason, and the complexities of religious beliefs.
This poem sires kindness through its empathetic consideration of diverse perspectives on faith. The poem encourages understanding and tolerance, fostering a compassionate response to differing beliefs. Dryden's nuanced approach to religious inquiry invites readers to embrace kindness, acknowledging the diversity of spiritual experiences and promoting a sense of goodwill in the exploration of complex theological themes.
‘A Story’ is a short but challenging poem about a father and son. The father struggles to connect with his son, but also recognizes that it will not be long before his child grows up.
Despite the challenges in their relationship, it is clear that the father and son in this poem do love each other. The father struggles to think of a story, but he is doing his best, rocking his young son on his knee as he thinks. This is not a poem about an absent or abusive father; this father genuinely wants to be present and kind to his son, but he does not quite know how to go about it.
‘Snow Blanket’ is the perfect poem for the winter season that should remind everyone of the importance of giving freely and living joyfully.
Kindness plays a key role in the final message of the poem. The speaker urges people to help increase goodwill and to embrace peace as a response to the coldness in life. The snow is presented as a peaceful force that encourages a softer, more understanding way of living. Through its language and tone, the poem encourages readers to treat others gently and to look beyond their own frustrations in favor of connection and care.
‘Abhisar: The Tryst’ is a poem steeped in legend that tells the story of a monk who is still revered in parts of Asia; this is a simple but timeless story of compassion and empathy.
Kindness is very important to this poem. The courtesan shows kindness to the monk when she first encounters him and is worried about him. The monk does not forget this, and when the courtesan is suffering, he is there to show her whatever kindness he can to help ease her suffering. The poem shows how kindness is reciprocated.
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