I watched a film this weekend that has left an indelible imprint on my mind. I wept in places as I watched and the story made my heart and soul bleed, partly because of the kindness demonstrated by the one character for the other but also partly for the complete lack of humanity and kindness shown by others in the same instance. The film was called I Daniel Blake.
I cried because of the injustice, I cried because I had felt those things this year too, I cried for the mother’s love of her children and for how she had gone without to ensure her children were well. I cried for the kindness of the old man for helping the family despite his own hardship and loss. I cried mostly for a society that seems to have forgotten how important kindness is. I cried because in my desperate hours of need I have been given kindess. I cried because even in my own desperate hours of need, my needs will have been far less significant than the needs of many others who probably also needed kindness.
Give with a glad heart.
Expect nothing in return
Kindness warms, ice melts.
©Alison Jean Hankinson
This is for d’Verse Haibun monday. The birds are just because….I feed the birds…all birds…big ones, little ones, brown ones, white ones….The seagull on the roof has a gammy leg…he still survives…
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Hues of Hankinson 
Well, Alison- I’m going to have to watch this now. The film appears to define kindness. Loved the haibun- especially the last line of haiku.
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It is an unbelievable film….you will need tissues…
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Oh boy!
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This one touched me;
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Kindness ties a community together as an experience of warmth. I liked the phrase in your haiku: “Kindness warms”.
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What a great haiku – such a lovely message. It sounds like a powerful film.
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Expecting nothing in return is the challenge. I think on some level our nature is to expect a return on an investment. Maybe that is just mine, or something that I needed to get over. I know I did not start there, but became quite frustrated over time, and found myself there. I think it has to do with giving to the point you are empty and never feeling like your cup is refilled – which is a dangerous place to be.
Anyway, this movie sounds really good. I will look it up.
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I think to give kindness with no expectation is the most altruistic. I have tried to encourage my children to give kindness because they want to give kindness.
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I think I might have heard of I Daniel Blake or maybe even read a review but I haven’t seen it yet. I love a film that can move me to tears so I’ll have to look out for it.
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I think you must watch it. It was totally unexpected. I wanted to rewrite the script.
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So beautifully written, and the haiku is wonderful as well!
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Many thanks. XXX
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I’m an ex-actor & full time movie buff, with thousands of films on my shelves. I weep in a lot of movies; really let go. Oddly, tragedy in real life I meet head on, calmly, stoically–go figure.
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I have not heard of this movie, but I would like to see it, even knowing I will probably cry. The last line of your haiku wrapped everything up in a simple package.
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I am going to check out that movie ~ Goodness, I am always crying over the same themes you mentioned ~ And I like the way you frame your needs versus the needs of others ~ I too have remind myself, I am blessed when I read the hard lives of others ~
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I like your account of your experience with the film. Sounds very moving and a bit of an emotional roller coaster that shines through kindness in the end. The haiku is a fine topper. I must look that film up.
Pat
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I absolutely LOVE this poem. I cry for the same reasons. Kindness is so natural to humans. It is sad the damage that occurs to some folks, who sometimes forget that side of themselves.
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I apologize for getting to your submission so late. I lost internet (!) yesterday during the prompt and just got it back sometime early this morning. Indeed. Kindness warms, ice melts. You said it all. wonderful haiku at the end of this marvelous haibun.
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Thank you. Much love, we are away at the moment and I have just got some internet we do become dependent on it…
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