<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://allpoetry.com/poem/15843335-The-Art-of-Caring-by-Violetta-12" style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(141, 56, 0); text-decoration: none;">The Art of Caring</span></a><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35);">Author unknown</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(20, 24, 35);">I will admit I was a tightwad, though that fact shames me now,<br>As never changing mountains, often colorful mists will allow!<br><br>I never meant to be unkind, but only endeavored to be practical,<br>Like the moon exiting skies, when night cannot be more magical.<br><br>I yearned to be a huge success, and truly thought I knew it all,<br>Like Cinderella as she lost her shoe, when running from the ball!<br><br>Still I had plenty of friends, who overlooked my unhappy faults,<br>As blooms overlooked the darkness, to begin the moonlit waltz!<br><br>Sunshine often visits those, who aren't particularly deserving,<br>With golden feverish devotion, that is constantly so unswerving.<br><br>I loved my work as an art critic, and I was appreciative of art,<br>Like the art of buying a plumed hat, to go away looking smart!<br><br>I had viewed so many great artworks, their beauty followed me,<br>As balmy breezes follow colored objects, everywhere constantly.<br><br>I was at an art museum one day, viewing a depiction of a town,<br>So pleasant and filled with sunshine, wearing serenity's crown!<br><br>It was a huge life-size canvas, a beauty with trees and birds,<br>And people dressed in pretty colors, exchanging pleasant words.<br><br>On a street of cheery houses, playing children and shade trees,<br>And a mail carrier on the corner, passing like summer breeze!<br><br>Some unknown something called to me, as a desert calls for rain, <br>And I could not turn my gaze away, as a fond memory will remain.<br><br>I gazed until I felt the sunshine, and I could hear the laughter,<br>Finding myself on that quaint street, like the happily ever after!<br><br>Disoriented at the sudden change, I spun myself quickly about,<br>But I could not see the art museum, scarce as rain in a drought.<br><br>Hence a lady walking on Sunny Street, inquired if I might be lost,<br>And said she'd help me to find the way, no matter what the cost.<br><br>How to tell my unusual plight, when I didn't know what to tell?<br>As only the turbulence of the ocean, is gained from a seashell!<br><br>As I walked the pleasant streets, I found people were so caring,<br>Like I'd entered a new dimension, knowing of nothing but sharing.<br><br>When I asked what time it was, I was gifted a brand new watch,<br>As yearning for one sunny day, yields a season of butterscotch!<br><br>When I lunched at an outdoor cafe, a kind stranger paid the price,<br>As nature always seems to give, in excess of what would suffice.<br><br>Later passing a garden party, revelers insisted I join their fun,<br>So I danced in the day's sunshine, and played games with everyone.<br><br>I was not quite used to this-things were so different around here,<br>Like summertime gone down in defeat, giving hued autumn a cheer!<br><br>As day was nearing a sunset orangey-I'd never enjoyed myself more,<br>Like butterflies chasing bright blooms, from a meadow to the shore.<br><br>I had an assortment of fine gifts, bestowed with joy and feeling,<br>From the openhanded and openhearted, and my attitude began healing.<br><br>After hugging the summer revelers goodbye, I turned about to leave,<br>And found myself facing the art museum, yet in magic I now believed.<br><br>I turned back to see the huge canvas, just as it had been before,<br>Yet I knew that vivid memories, would come knocking at the door! <br><br>I'd become a different person, who appreciated the joys of giving,<br>For if one can't express love and caring, where's the joy of living?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br></div>—————————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>