Happiness-
The crown prince of acquisitions,
More sought after than
Rubies and pearls
Gold and platinum
Park Place and Boardwalk
Diamonds, a girl’s best friend…

Happiness-
An elusive being,
Slipping in and out of captivity
A high stakes game of peek-a-boo
Someday, somewhere, that special someone
Never quite matching the job description…

Happiness-
The stuff of dreams come true,
Among the stars and in the tea leaves
Over the rainbow and through looking glass
Greener grass and better homes and gardens
Beauty without the beast…

Happiness-
Is everybody happy?
Therapists and self-help books
Make someone happy, perhaps even yourself
Pills and booze for all occasions
A grand obsession, grand illusion
The popular Harvard course. Happiness 101…

Joy-
A whisper, a soft evening breeze
Radiant love and undulating peace
Connected to the Universe, inside and out
A steady smile and quiet optimism
A resident from birth, ready to serve
A constant companion, wherever happiness might be or not.

David Nekimken, June 2006