strange kindnesses

like ms. dubois i feel that i’ve always found something in the
strange kindness that can be brought on
in just
the exchange of money for a newspaper
the asking of directions and being told where to go
the conversation that comes from mutual boredom between two in a waiting
room
talk produced by mutual anxiety when crammed in a subway car, an elevator, a
bus or an airplane (which inevitably relieves stress) or
banter that comes when purchasing gas at a gas station---
it can come when you expect it but it can amaze you even then,
when you tell tech support the problems with your cable television, your PC, your
telephone (really any of these western conveniences) & you think that they are
just playing the game
but they are nice to the nth degree!
the conversation between two people who have absolutely nothing to do with each other
except
for the context of that phone call,
can be an eye opening experience---
if anything,
it can illuminate the similarities in us
which can only be found when we have no other
vested interests or ulterior motives---
they are found in common politenesses
wherein people usher families through
when they are on their own
or when they offer up the same help with
directions or
with a special skill that they possess which another does not.

unlike blanche,
i don’t depend on these moments of
kindness,
as one cannot depend on anything in this short
existence,
but i do find them interestingly unique & positive amongst the
rest.