Make my day

By Barb7

Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • 217 reads
8 comments
 

It only takes a moment,

To spoil somebody's day,

A careless word, a harsh look,

Eager to go, when we want you to stay.

 

Receiving a nasty put-down,

A glare instead of a smile,

Trading insults instead of plaudits,

A comment dripping with bile.

 

The back-handed compliment,

The involuntary  sigh,

The cursory dismissal,

That makes us feel two inches high.

 

The person who gives a critical tut,

As they force you into the gutter,

Their life is so important,

They only have time to mutter.

 

The motorist who toots his horn,

As aggression reddens his face,

You're an irritating obstruction,

And life, after all is a race.

 

Try to imagine a different world,

Where consideration holds sway,

It only takes a moment,

To make somebody's day.

Certificate U
Poem
Love

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

"out of the overflow of the heart …" Need a concern and care about others in the heart to touch the lips and the willingness to pause and be thoughful … Rhiannon

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

'It only takes a moment,  To make somebody's day.'  Or unmake it, unfortunately.

Well said, Barb, I totally agree.  A smile, a little chat. Stopping at a parked car and letting someone coming the other way through, and then they wave and give you a thumbs-up.  I love moments like that, restores my faith in human nature.

 

Submitted by Barb7 on

We all need reasons to smile and to have faith in human nature. Thanks for your comment, it sums up what I was trying to say.

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

I can't help remembering when I've been curt myself - just this morning out for a walk and wanting to get home to get on with something, and just not giving another dog walker the time to chat; and it leaves me diminished for longer than the few minutes I saved.  

Dougie Moody

Submitted by Barb7 on

I think  we've all been guilty of breaking the kindness rule, I certainly have. What is important is reflecting on it afterwards and making up for it later if possible, as you have. However, it's also important to be kind to ourselves - no-one is perfect!

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Lovely little incident in the sports centre car park this morning.

I was walking back out of the centre to my car, when I saw a guy drive in and start looking round the car park, which was rammed.  I waved my keys at him to show I was leaving, he smiled and gave me a thumbs up.  I walked round to my car and he followed, but then I saw there was a space next door but one.  He waved at me and pointed at the space.  I waved at him and gave him a smile and a thumbs up.

Not a word was spoken, but it left me feeling really cheery.  A good illustration of what you're saying in your excellent poem.

 

Submitted by Barb7 on

 

 

Submitted by Barb7 on

Thanks GlosKat,

It makes my day when people read my poems and take the time to leave a comment. Sometimes the smallest gestures carry the biggest weight. Am pleased your day was improved by a thoughtful driver.