Life often feels like
the slow, deliberate pace
of automatic revolving doors

when a stranger turns
and smiles or waves
I suddenly feel free
sprung loose from circular infinity
fierce, almost ten feet tall

my mind tries to shake
the cacophony of cliches
born of this random event

it costs nothing to be kind
a smile lights up darkness
blah blah blah

I shake my head
drink a cup of cynicism

and yet…

while stuck in that revolving door
who hasn’t, at some point,
depended on the
kindness of strangers?

Sherri London Pastolove has been a Long Islander for over 30 years. She has published two poetry collections, Cowgirls and Love in D Major, and her poetry has appeared in Ms. Magazine, NCPLS Review, the 911 Memorial Artists Registry and Long Island Quarterly.