The central theme of this poem is clearly indicated by its title: Kindness is an invaluable but often difficult-to-find quality in humanity. The poem ultimately concludes that kindness is the only thing "that makes sense anymore." This conclusion arises from Nye's observations of negativity and her strong belief that goodness can triumph over evil.

"Kindness" is a poem that effectively communicates its message without any ambiguity. It is straightforward and easy to understand, using clear and direct language to make its points. The main theme develops through a series of philosophical and vivid examples. Nye writes theoretically about witnessing the "future dissolve" and a "desolate … landscape … between the regions of kindness," while also providing vivid imagery of bus riders "eating maize and chicken" and "the Indian in a white poncho" who "lies dead by the side of the road." This combination of theory and reality enhances rather than detracts from the poem's message, underscoring the essence of human kindness.

The elusive nature of kindness as a sought-after yet sometimes hard-to-define trait allows for various interpretations. Philosophically, it could be a "tender gravity of kindness," or the "deepest thing inside." Practically, it might be the force that "ties your shoes / and sends you out in the day to mail letters and purchase bread." This abrupt transition from reflective to practical emphasizes the diverse significance of human kindness.

One of Nye's main concerns—evident in both her writing and her life—is to promote compassion and fairness across global communities. "Kindness" clearly advocates for greater human empathy among individuals from different nations, ethnic backgrounds, or even within local communities. The unfortunate Indian depicted in the poem may have died among his own people in his own town or village, yet he is unjustly ignored, as though his body is an unwanted foreign object. The poem suggests that only kindness can prevent such appalling treatment of another human being.

A secondary theme in "Kindness," though not as immediately apparent as the primary one, is just as compelling. To truly grasp the significance and advantages of kindness, individuals must first comprehend its opposite: loss. This understanding allows one to discern the delicate balance between what is truly good and what is truly bad. This idea is introduced in the poem's opening lines, but it is the subsequent examples that clarify it further.

While riding the bus, you must relinquish the notion that your fellow passengers will endlessly enjoy their maize and chicken without eventually reaching undesirable destinations, like dilapidated homes or dangerous neighborhoods. The overarching lesson is that no matter how pleasant or "tender" your own life may seem, somewhere out there, an overlooked person "lies dead by the side of the road," and that person could very well "be you" if circumstances were only slightly different. This idea is perhaps the poem's most powerful message about contrasts: there is a thin line separating the haves from the have-nots. The fortunate can swiftly become unfortunate if events take an unexpected turn.

"Kindness" suggests that achieving balance between opposites is more fulfilling than merely choosing one side and attempting to eliminate the other. Someone who perceives only the good in life while ignoring the bad is living in denial, missing the true essence of "good" in a world of illusions and fantasy. On the other hand, if one recognizes that life's challenges and sorrows are as significant as its joys and happiness, then positive experiences are treasured even more because of the genuine possibility of negative ones.