Can't be Contained.

I think we underestimate

the power we have

in this world.

Every couple

who becomes a couple

adds to the net joy

of this world.

It's easiest to feel

at the local level,

but it affects

the whole world.

Someone a few continents away

is smiling bigger

because you held a boy's hand.

And someone nearby

is watching

and is glad.

The joy of building

and of kindness

can't be contained, can it?

.

.

.

So it follows

that every couple

who breaks up

adds to the net sorrow

of this world.

It's easiest to feel

at the local level,

but it affects

the whole world.

Someone a few continents away

is hanging his head

because you only walk

with your hands in your pockets now.

And someone nearby

is watching

and is devastated.

The sorrow of entropy

and of undoing

can't be contained, can it?

.

.

.

We should all stop pretending

that other people

can't hurt us

if we don't let them in close.

We can all hurt one another

at any time.

It has to be that way

for us to be human.

Saul Steinberg, "Kiss"