How I Escaped From Despair Today Poem by Shalom Freedman

HOW I ESCAPED FROM MY DESPAIR TODAY

No great thought or sudden revelation,
No major meeting or act of friendship,
No revelation of Love,
No great Surprise of Joy,
Nothing great at all-

The simple doing of everyday tasks-
Cleaning the house,
Taking a bus,
Doing a small errand I had promised someone I would,
Being outside
Looking at the world
Where I walked -

Somehow taking my mind from myself,
By buying medicine for my wife
Purchasing fruits in the market-

By doing small things,
Showing myself that I am still capable of action-

By trivial small actions changing my mood
Enabling myself to have enthusiasm for life again-