“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.’
Mark Twain
What has life now taught me?
What has come home to me?
All my years in priesthood
Then in family
What has come through shining clear?
Beyond what reason says
It is the warmth of kindness
That comforts all our days
Lemn Sissay says he has no one
To turn and comfort him
He began a child alone
No family no kin
And yes he found his way in life
He found a happy place
But lonely is never far away
It stares him in the face
In younger days we argue
We fight for what is right
We get angry and frustrated
At things beyond our might
But gradually we settle down
We listen and we learn
Sorrow comes and wisdom comes
And then old age our turn
And life has brought us lessons
Experience we say
And it comes to pass that reason
Is not the only way
Warmth of heart and tenderness
A healing presence here
Enfolds our loved ones safely
And drives away all fear
Brian Fahy
14 September 2022
Erris Poetry 