Be Kind When You Can

"Be Kind When You Can" is a poem written by Eliza Cook, an English author and poet who lived during the 19th century. This poem was recorded by volunteers from LibriVox and is part of their Weekly Poetry project. Eliza Cook was born in London Road, Southwark, and was the daughter of a local tradesman. She attended Sunday Schools in her area and was encouraged by the son of the music master to publish her first volume of poetry. In 1837, she gained confidence and began submitting her verses to the Weekly Dispatch, a radical publication edited by William Johnson Fox. Over the next decade, her poems became a regular feature in the newspaper. She also contributed to other publications such as The Literary Gazette, Metropolitan Magazine, and New Monthly. Eliza Cook's work reflects her deep passion for social justice and her desire to inspire kindness in others.