HAPPINESS IS IN THE SIMPLE THINGS

Is happiness an illusion
when there is no one to share it?

Once a hint of harmony is plumbed from deep within,
I can tempt myself to mirror hope
and, perchance, discover life is worth living.

My demons still and my heart quiets
If...
Spring daffodils nod me their sunny greeting
Or warm summer sun kisses my bare arms
Or a rainbow paints its twin on my uplifted face
Or skies full of stars wink devilishly in an inky night.
When...
Wee baby fingers grasp my hand and grip my heart
While sturdy toddlers hopscotch on a grey sidewalk.
When...
A snowy meadow flings glazing beauty to infinity
As windswept seas pound a riotous tattoo in my ear.
If...
A noble hawk soars into the blue yonder
Or a ladybug flashes her coat of red and black
While a butterfly flutters by.
After...
A friend calls to say "thinking 'boutcha."
Friends call to say "let's go have some fun."
Anyone calls to say "I love you."

So, while worries abound
and death tears a ragged hole in the heart
Life is meant to be lived with conviction.
Happiness begets happiness.

By: Gigi

HAPPINESS

Happiness is fleeting...
which is a good thing
otherwise, we would not experience it at all.

Happiness is seeing
the early morning sun or fog
the birds and the trees
on a walk
watching dogs romp and play
without a care in the world.

Happiness is a plane landing
and being home again.

Happiness is being myself
open and honest with the ones I cherish.

By: Willy

HAPPINESS

Happiness is something we earn
and is not to be taken for granted.
It appears at unexpected times
brought on by others or by yourself.

AS A CHILD
Happiness is seeing your parents hug
Finding your favorite stuffed animal
Having spaghetti for dinner
Getting a valentine from your best friend
Not wetting the bed!

AS A TEENAGER
Happiness is being accepted by your peers
Having a date for the prom
Getting a license to drive
Experiencing your first love
Not having a pimple on your nose!

AS A YOUNG WOMAN
Happiness is having a career you love
Being independent
Finding the right guy...or gal
Having your own checkbook
Decorating your first home!

AS A MOM
Happiness is breathing in the smell of your just-bathed baby
Watching your mate play with the kids
Tucking your children in bed at night
Seeing little faces light up at Disneyland
Having your child tell you they love you.

AS A WOMAN IN HER SIXTIES
Happiness is having friends who care
Reading a good book
Sleeping all night without nightsweats
Getting hugs from grandkids
Having a day without worry.

AS AN OLD WOMAN
Happiness is visits from family
Having a good bowel movement
Remembering good times in your life
Feeling safe and breathing easily
Not wetting the bed!

By: Lu-Ann

IN DEFENSE OF JOYCE KILMER

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree."

Who wrote those silly, silly lines
A silly man, one might opine.

A Poem, a Tree, how to compare
One you see, the other hear.

But, wait, the poet had much success
And he thought "green" before the rest.

His heart, his mind, and, yes, his soul
Were minted out of 10k gold.

A hero, too, in World War I
His body rests 'neath France's sun.

Hence, now I long to shine a light
Upon my co-New Jerseyite.

by: Gigi

ME TIME

Where did all my ME time go?
I used to have my life just so.

Now it revolves completely around others
My family, a puppy. my sister and brother.
Spending more time with one who is now retired
Dealing with the mess left behind when another expired.

Too bad there are only 24 hours in a day
Alas, if there were more, I'd be too tired anyway!

by: Sam