Compassion
is the warmth
of torn book pages
slowly fed to hungry flames,
by a beggar’s hands,
it is the sound
of the lonely coin
at the bottom of his tin cup.
it grows from the reek
of unwashed clothes
and rotten teeth.
it is seeing clear
the lonely drop
clinging to a syringe
it is the softness
of a pleated fiberboard
carefully spread
on cobblestones.
Compassion
is a drugstore
closed at night,
it has rheumy eyes
and whisper comfort in a broken voice.
it is tearing us apart
with its bitter taste of bile
knowing that we care.
Compassion
is not a weakness, not religion,
it is noticing
without contempt
not blaming
but listening and learning
staying strong and letting go.
Rembrandt
Today we are doing listpoetry at dVerse, hosted by me. Join us and write poems by working from lists.
May 14, 2026
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Compassion begins there, doesn’t it, just noticing, and all the details of the noticing lead to more promising acts that the world is sorely in need of.
Indeed… if we don’t see and notice we cannot act.
So sad, so true.
It is hard to face it, and I admit I am bad at it.
It is hard to face. Not so good at it myself. But I’m working on it.
“Compassion
is not a weakness, not religion,
it is noticing
without contempt”
Bravo
much love
Thank you… yes we should be able to do that.
Gorgeously rendered, Bjorn! I especially admire; “Compassion is not a weakness, not religion, it is noticing without contempt.” ❤️❤️
it is, and we need to do it without judging.
Bjorn, your lovely poem touched my heart … the best kind of reaction. Thank you for the challenge. Promise I won’t go all rogue next time [maybe.]
It made me feel guilty just writing it.
More people should take note.
Indeed… we should
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Lesson taught, will we ever learn? Great prompt and thanks for hosting today! Cheers!!! 🩵
I wonder too… I love my lists.
Compassion is something that is needed more in the world. A thought provoking poem. I am curious as to your original list of words.
I did it a bit different than I wrote in the prompt (bad me) I started with the word compassion and thought about images that came up in my mind.
Hi Bjorn, I think it still is list poetry as it encompasses all that compassion is with powerful images.
“Compassion
is not a weakness, not religion,
it is noticing
without contempt”
So true. It’s tragic that some try to make it otherwise.
It is, but so many of us fail in really noticing
Yes, true.
Compassion rightly looking forward towards something better targetting for improvements and developments. Well written Bjorn!
Hank
We cannot turn away from what is ugly
You have faced the gritty suffering directly but landed with hope. Nicely done Björn 👏
I think it is what we should try doing
Compassion
is the warmth
of torn book pages
slowly fed to hungry flames,
by a beggar’s hands,
it is the sound
of the lonely coin
at the bottom of his tin cup.
it grows from the reek
of unwashed clothes
and rotten teeth.
A wonderful beginning to a tender poem.
As soon as you start noticing you will see what it takes from us.
compassion is noticing…and this is where it begins…
well expressed, Bjorn…🤍🙏
Yes, and I have to admit it is one the things I do not do enough
guilty too…😬
but we try…🤍🙏
You have captured the paradox of compassion perfectly it’s born out of ugliness and suffering, it tears the caregiver apart, and yet it is the only thing that keeps us human – a beautiful, haunting piece of work Bjorn!🙌
Indeed… to feel compassion for a cute girl is easy, but a drug-addicted beggar is so much harder.
♥️
So very well done Bjorn.
Thank you Kim
Yes, compassion looks without contempt…and then tries to help in some way. A tender poem, Bjorn.
If we never see it we will never help
Very heartfelt poem Björn
Thank you!
You’re very welcome
I love how you open each verse – written with much compassion and understanding- Jae
it is only trying to be human
There is much truth in this.
I think it is…
An extinct quality in my neck of Trump’s wood, in so many ways so I could a write the shadow list of this poem, grounded in the tough places it grittily survives.
Politics driven by contempt seems to be the rule in that neck
Your closing stanza rings so true. If only we could be more compassionate in these times.
Sometimes we manage, but there is always a reason not to.
Indeed…sad times…
Excellent work
and we cannot have too much of it
I love that last stanza! First there is the noticing.