Kindness

“Different Ways to Pray” by Naomi Shihab Nye (1980)

This poem appeared in Nye’s full-length collection of the same name, which also featured “Kindness.” The poems share similar themes of cross-cultural tolerance and understanding, and reflect the scope of Nye’s early work.

“The Dream of a Common Language” by Leigh Stein (2014)

This contemporary poem explores similar themes of unity and understanding, through the lens of a teacher. The speaker, like in “Kindness,” seeks to convey a greater message about the wider world.

“A Road for Loss” by Maya Abu Al-Hayyat (2022)

This poem uses a similar literary device to “Kindness” in that it speaks directly to the reader using the pronoun “You.” It parallels much of Nye’s work by exploring the boundaries between cultures and the need to embrace living.

“On Being with Krista Tippett: Naomi Shihab Nye” (2016)

An audio and written transcription of an interview with Nye, in which she discusses her literary and cultural influences, the poem “Kindness,” and the inspiration behind it.

“Naomi Shihab Nye Is First Arab American Author Named Young People’s Poet Laureate” by Michael Schaub (2019)

A Los Angeles Times article that explores Nye’s rise to cultural prominence and her impact on contemporary poetry.