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“Held by Many Hands” ceramic by Sunny Finley
Editor's Note: Writers were asked to respond to the theme of "service' as part of Studio B Art Gallery's "In Service" project sponsored by a grant from the Berks County Community Foundation.
by Aressa V. Williams*
Think Nothing of It
The young man wearing a brown wool hat, gingerly escorts me to my car across the icy parking lot. I did not ask him to. He anticipated my need. “Thank you, kind sir.” I say. “No problem.” He says and thinks nothing of it.
The janitor sweeps the hallway of medical offices. He stops, steps aside to allow me to walk by. I nod “the old up-and-down-thank you” and wave. He smiles, continues his work, thinks nothing of it.
The Giant cashier, Tracey, carefully bags my groceries. She takes that extra step. She lifts heavy bags to my shopping cart. I tell her, “I appreciate you”. She nods “the old up-and-down-thank you”, returns to her cash register, thinks nothing of it.
A Fed X driver delivers packages across my street. He rushes to help my elderly neighbor who has fallen outside her front door. I could only help her sit up. He gently lifts my neighbor like she was a baby. We thank the Fed X driver who says “glad I was nearby to help.” He thinks nothing of it.
Street cleaners with long-handled picks take-up scattered trash after weekly sanitation trucks collect household rubbish. Visible, significant, expected. Work without fanfare. And they think nothing of it.
Heart Helpers
Kindness Keepers
Selfless Servants
Unsung
* Aressa V. Williams is a retired public school teacher and College Professor of English as well as a Prince Georges County Literary Leader. A creative writing presenter, poet, and teacher consultant, the poetess has recently published a memoir, IN DEANWOOD, about growing up in Washington D.C. during the 1950s. Author of Soft Shadows, the Penny Finder, and Pancakes and Chocolate Milk defines her work as "word movies." Aressa is an active member of Pen in Hand, Poetry X Hunger, Poetry Nation and the Write Women's Book Festival poet laureate. The word-weaver believes writing is free therapy.
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