I love this poem by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. It’s a commentary on the fact that – even in the darkest times – simple acts of unexpected generosity and kindness have the capacity to remind us that not everything is bleak and hopeless even in a nasty, brutish, trumpian world.

Optimistic Little Poem

Now and then it happens
that somebody shouts for help
and somebody else jumps in at once
and absolutely gratis.

Here in the thick of the grossest capitalism
round the corner comes the shining fire brigade
and extinguishes, or suddenly
there’s silver in the beggar’s hat.

Mornings the streets are full
of people hurrying here and there without
daggers in their hands, quite equably
after milk or radishes.

As though in a time of deepest peace.

A splendid sight.

Hans Magnus Enzensberger (b. 1928) Germany, translated by David Constantine.

Born to Help

Sometimes the services do work with the efficiency you would hope for. And sometimes individuals commit those unnecessary, senseless acts of helping, rescue, kindness and generosity even when there’s nothing in it for them. We are after all hardwired for altruism.  See Born to Help

And it reminds me of a time when someone remarked in school that the students were engaged in community service for “no good reason” –  meaning that they were helping out without being asked, directed or rewarded. No expectation, requirement or credit. It was just because. A way to be in the world. Helping others is just a part of who we are and it was just the way it often was in that community. 

And so life goes on and people lend a helping hand and go out to buy milk and radishes (!) without needing to carry an assault rifle.

And here’s an example from my twitter feed of yesterday. 

Here’s something a little more dramatic –  the legendary Grace Darling.

And just as with the first grader and the umbrella, it doesn’t have to be the dramatic gesture. Just the simple, ordinary, everyday, quotidian acts of kindness right there amid the simple, ordinary, everyday quotidian acts – like shopping for radishes or carrying the milk home.