Not Kind | Diane C. Howard

Published on 16 May 2024 at 01:44

I have come to grips

That I'm not good enough for Heaven

This isn't a new thought

I have thought that since eleven

Somethings that good people do

Just don't cross my mind

I'm not saying that I am mean

Sometimes I'm just not kind

Sometimes I forget I'm Christian

Is what I am trying to say

What really made me realize

Started the other day

I went out back to check my plants

I planted the other day

And there were these little rocks

I didn't see yesterday

As I got closer I could see

4 speckled little eggs

3 were broke and one was not

It was sitting by the ledge

I didn't touch it because I shouldn't

Or that is what I heard

But a kind person would have made a nest

And tried to hatch that bird

More about The Poem...

This introspective poem reflects the speaker's self-doubt and struggle with their sense of morality and kindness. The speaker has long believed they are not "good enough" for Heaven, acknowledging moments where they lack the automatic kindness that "good people" demonstrate. The realization deepens through an encounter with a broken nest of bird eggs in their garden. While they refrain from intervening due to advice, they feel that a truly kind person would have attempted to help the unbroken egg. This moment crystallizes their ongoing internal conflict about their faith and actions.

This also reflects on Howard's comments made on her first poem, 'I Don't Know' where she stated she started writing at a 11, and according to this poem, the speaker has had thoughts about not making it to heaven "since eleven." Howard's writing is comforting and displays a simple message. A warming, light read.