during a winter’s ice-storm
a woman appeared outside
clad in shorts and flip-flops

it took but one glance
for judging-mind
to think of her as daft

judging-mind was certain,
even superior
in how it viewed her

this moment would
have gone unnoticed
if not for a simple question

could i now connect with her
unbiased, warmheartedly?

noticing how difficult it would be
for us to meet unencumbered

the seemingly small thought
of judging-mind
showed itself in a new light

it had created such distance
from the heart and between us

an unexpected insight,
a slow melt back towards
tenderness and gratitude