Last night I was in a loo and a woman entered the only other stall crying. I did the awkward shout over and asked if she was ok or wanted to talk about it, or needed a hug

She was crying because she missed her mum, who had died. And wanted a hug

So while she was weeing I did the decent noise covering thing of ladies loos and read her this poem:

When she came out she asked for my name and mobile number and because it’s very difficult to say no to a woman crying about the death of her mother, I gave them to her.

And later on last night I got this text:

So I suppose the lesson here is always force unsolicited poetry on crying strangers?

Anyway, this warmed me during a tricky week. Also it’s a bloody great poem and it’s rare to get such a perfect opportunity to loudly speak it through a loo door and over the sound of the weeing and weeping of a sad stranger

“listen I love you joy is coming”

Follow @kim_addonizio - the one who put those great words in such a kind order

Thanks to @valentinelow for not making me sound like a complete plonker https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/poetic-comfort-for-woman-crying-uncontrollably-in-toilet-stall-b559c2bll

Also, “a woman” -> “a young woman” so PROGRESS!!