- on happiness -

Sometimes, I

Am a little afraid

To allow myself

To be happy.

Sometimes

I pass up moments

Of joy

Because I am afraid

They will not last.

Because I am afraid

The joy's not real.

Because I am afraid

I will emerge

From that golden moment

Only to find myself

Plunged into darkness

Again.

But sometimes

I realize

That I must savor my joy.

I must seize the moment

And let the happiness

Surround me

And encase me

And fill me up

However much it may.

For I know

Happiness

Will not stick around 

Permanently--

But a drop here

And a drop there--

Even for a moment,

Even in the middle of 

The gloom--

Even a single drop

Of happiness

Is potent

And beautiful.

So I will take in each ounce

Each fragment

Each shard.

And I will savor

And smile

And press on 

Through the next patch of darkness

Until I reach

The light of joy

Again. 🌲💚