Kisses Not Snow

    - Judith Ellen Sanders

He had a lifelong whine in his voice
though he knew how to laugh
but his emotional pain was severe
a “pit in his stomach” severe
He and desolation knew each other all too well
for he had a lifelong ache of emptiness
nothing could seem to fill
As a baby his father had rubbed snow in his face
to “toughen him up”
perhaps his stay in the hospital
from the pneumonia did that
toughened him up
or weakened him

Strengthen children with kisses
not snow
feed them with smiles and song
not reprimands
Give children a benevolent world
by rushing toward their cries
by hugging them tightly
and by giving them love, understanding
and tenderness
And they will give you a whole person
and best of all they will never feel alone
even when they are

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Judith Ellen Sanders is a writer and painter with a science background. Her poem, Art Supplies From Heaven, about an excursion to the New York Central Art Supply was published in the New York Times. A lending artist with the Corporate Program at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Sanders' paintings are displayed in a variety of corporations in the Boston area.
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Read this and the 60+ poems in 'The Best of Kindness 2017' available on Amazon.com or from our publisher's CreateSpace e-store: https://www.createspace.com/7018282

Artwork above is 'Taped Key' by Peg Quinn. Peg is poet, mural painter, award-winning quilter, mixed-media artist, and three-time Pushcart Prize nominee. Originally from Nebraska, Peg lives in Santa Barbara, CA. www.santabarbaramurals.com

The above image, 'Startled Flight,' is by Helen Burke. Also see, https://www.origamipoems.com/poets/50-helen-burke

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Read this and the 60+ poems in 'The Best of Kindness 2017' available on Amazon.com or from our publisher's CreateSpace e-store: https://www.createspace.com/7018282