.
Nice Things Done
Most of the nice things some people will do,
Are done partly for their own benefit too.
But even if their motivation’s the latter,
When nice things are done, do the reasons much matter?
.
.
A Sense of Belonging
With social motivation
One need forever strong
Is fighting isolation
To feel that you belong.
.
.
Haircut Appointments
They ask me if I want to make
_My next appointment now,
But if that is the path I take
_It will not help somehow,
For I have learned it’s hardly sound
_That scheduling begin,
With what I’d have to work around
_Instead of just fit in.
.
.
Russel Winick recently started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
I particularly like the poem about nice things done and motivation. When I do something I think is nice, I believe it is in the interests of helping others or furthering a good cause. Everyone can benefit from the effort of doing something nice, including the doer, even though there are those who do not perceive or believe in what is right and just.
Thank you Roy. I have no doubt that you are a serial perpetrator of nice deeds.
These small poems used to be called “squibs,” or brief witty spurts of wisdom and comedy. They fell somewhere in between the epigram and the short poem.
Thank you Professor. I have learned so much from your comments about poetry. They’re greatly appreciated!
Russel, I always look forward to a few of your poetic nuggets of wisdom to chew on, and these have given me food for thought.
With “Nice Things Done” I find the benefit of helping others is a feeling of worth and purpose – a feeling that is often absent if I’m concentrating on myself alone. “Haircut Appointments” had me smiling and nodding in complete agreement. “A Sense of Belonging” made me think long and hard. I’ve never felt I’ve belonged, so it always comes as a lovely surprise to me when people (especially poets) connect with my wayward ways. Russel, as ever, thank you!
It’s also great to learn of the term “squibs” – I like it. Thank you, Joe!
Thank you Susan. The only reason I can think of for why you would ever feel that you don’t belong is that you’re more talented than virtually everybody else.
Russel, you have made me smile… but being honest, I know I don’t belonged because my thoughts and opinions are far from fashionable – they’re the sort of opinions that get one ostracized from the in-crowd, but I refuse to change them to suit the current mood. I am thrilled you think me talented, though… I will bask in the warmth and glory of such praise on this dark Texas morning.
You’re quite right about nice things, Russel. The motivation can be selfish or snarky, but when the things are done, even if the doer might not have liked the doing, he receives a benefit in spite of his motivation. And others potentially share what they’ve received, sometimes by “passing it on.”
Let me take the opportunity to thank you and your wife again for the gracious “sense of belonging” you created at your home for a number of us who had never met. Social isolation was out of the question!
Margaret — As for nice things done, yes, that’s another accurate way of looking at it, I believe. As for the Symposium, it was our honor and pleasure to host each guest. The hospitality was simply a matter of treating everyone not only as they deserved, but also as we would hope to be treated in someone else’s house. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
These “squibs” (another new term for me) are easy to digest and enjoy in the moment, but they tend to stick with you over the course of the day and provide something to keep chewing on. Well done.
Thank you Warren. That’s really amazing to me, actually. Much appreciated.