Back to Basics

Back to Basics explores the simplicity of our natural, innate goodness—a quality that exists prior to learned behaviors, rules, or societal structures. This poem reflects on the small, universal gestures that reveal our unicity, like a smile or a kind deed, and how they effortlessly express our shared being.

The shedding of all
that is not essential to us
reveals our innate goodness,
prior to rules, laws, and customs.

A smile requires no translation,
a silent indication
of our inward state,
inclusiveness.

A good deed needs no interpretation,
a gentle lifting,
reinforcing our common bond,
acknowledging worth.

Listening to others speak,
offering time and attention,
a passive confirmation,
a validation.

Moving through the world
we remain in our essence
our basic, innate goodness
revealed in every move.