I can't tell you
what makes happiness
that is something
you'll have to discover
for yourself

I think the recipe
is different for everyone
and for those of us
who are not happy placid
bunny cows
it is an arcane archaic
convulted deviation
rather than
waking up and
being glad to be alive

You cannot hold it in your hand.

You never know, really
when it will come
when it will go
or how hard you'll fall
once it's gone
exhausted
depleted

But these, these are
the things that incite
happiness in me -

pink cotton candy
Mary Poppins
snuggly kittie cats
warm long lingering baths
that bittersweet moment of waking from the perfect dream
an unexpected gesture from someone I love
contact, after absence
the first cup of coffee in the morning
baking bread
watching people eat food I made myself
making things with my hands
writing poetry
that moment when you have fixed a problem
making up after a fight
giving in, when you've been proven wrong
an anticipated outing
new hardbound books
presents, just because
towels, fresh from the dryer
macaroni and cheese from the box
a crisp sweet German white wine, lightly chilled
Teuscher champagne truffles
the feeling of silk on bare skin
perfect service in a restaurant
ferris wheels and amusement park rides

this, of course,
is just the PG list
the other is quite long

11/02/2007

Posted on 11/02/2007
Copyright © 2024 Gira Bryant