Even weeds are useful

When cruelty runs amok
Let kindness be your guide
anywhere, anyhow,
give everyone
your smile.

Mister death may wait
outside the garden door,
the vulture may soar above
eying sorrow
here below,
the mothers may be broken
when children are expendable,
but-
be kind anyways,
anyways be kind.

When the world
thinks you are a weed,
you can find a home
in me, as the seed heads
feed the pollinators,
spreading life around
and the root of
dandelion digs
deep into the ground
letting the soil breathe –
that is what you
mean to me,
a treasure gone unnoticed,
how I love a weed!

You human of the Nile
and rainforest tree,
your beautiful language
inflects and decrees
a love I have for you
despite all the hatred
that can make a soul despair,
despite the human ego
stealing more than share of
all that makes us singular.

Let the anthem ring and ring,
be kind anyways –
kindness is the thing.