How long is happiness?

Martin Steele

Is it the length of a pony’s tail
That swishes when you come into view,
Or is it the shortness of a puppy’s yelp,
When the eyes roll in ecstasy,
When you pat its head?
Or is it a long lingering kiss,
That saturates placid lips,
When we were both oh so young;
Or was it a big huge hug,
That daddy gave you long ago,
Or in the sweet words,
When you return from abroad,
That whisper “Gee! Honey, I’ve missed you so.”

Is it the long lonely click of the train wheels
That are excited you’re coming home,
Or is it the delightful ongoing short gurgle
Of your first born girl,
Or can it be that brief tight squeeze
Of your hand,
You quietly received
And you weren’t expecting,
In the last row of that movie house?
Was it that short sigh,
When you said “I love you?”
Was it in that parcel of happiness?

Look far down
The long-winding cobbled path -
A tiny tortoise
Strides on a mellow marsh-mallow pad;
He is happy. He’s reaching his eager goal;
And happiness for you,
Is getting there too.

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