Contagion Kind words easing out may not be met yet I must stay with them compassion is needed I signal a lane change driver flips me the finger Young woman trips over my cane—only careless but catch myself wanting to chastise yet the rash of cruel news insists on more I release a contagion, aim for steadier kindness hola not hello to the doctor herself Reach to open a door for a portly man and his Dachshund miss the handle meet the eye of a teen she nods, smiles and grabs it in time