I evolve gently

as the sea that I am

washed with white foam

throbbing with

gulf stream rhythm

bathing worries away

bringing new life

as my tide rushes out.

Mutating oceans

borrow new borders

land lessens and grows

but my oceans remain

since beginning of time

and I dwell

in my happy place.

His face knows no secrets

Shrinkled nose, ears in storm

Looking blindly out of pleasure

Disarming, resting in himself turbulently

Undburdened positive

Gulf Stream for frozen souls

Amounted energy without holding

Blasting each problem

Nastily in unisone with the world

Sadness without a chance

Irresistibly bewitched

Overwhelming silkily tender consolation

You’re light blue as steel

Brave joy of living

Heavenly destiny

Cosmic sun-phenomenon

Every millimetre madness

Too soft to be true

Fresh cell, vehement miracle

Making me weak and all the rest unimportant and small

Overwhelming nature

Front attack on grey moods

Unimitateably stubborn

Infecting chilled dream

Your head on my shoulder leaves me addicted

Every fibre magical chemistry

Open without scruples

Defeated by your chilling peace

You’ve got me in your hands

You’re letting feelings overflow

With your secret magic

You’re letting anger drown

Helpless euphoria

Waking up before the sun,

watching my husband rest,

my son’s smile and energy

living life with such zest;

dancing in the bathroom

in the kitchen or the yard,

singing in the shower

in a store or in the car;

laughing at silly jokes

or even nothing at all,

giving and receiving hugs,

getting an unexpected call;

making someone smile

who really wants to cry;

giving a little hope

to help someone get by;

hiking up mountains

the silence that ensues,

the sky in all its splendor,

the myriad glorious views;

piercing sounds of violins,

songs that touch my heart,

books that engage my mind,

beautiful works of art;

writing a piece that I like,

painting something, too,

drawing halfway decent,

learning anything new;

all the family together

around the dinner table;

making everyone’s favorites

the best that I am able.

In sum, these little things

and many more I’d say

make me so very happy

each and every blessed day.

when flooded with grief,

my lost mother hovers a whisper:

" It was but a dream,

your life now begins.. "

She takes my hand

to cross the bridge of life.

We're both free now,

I am in ecstasy .

What makes me happy is reading a great piece of poetry or prose and reflex on what makes it so good, focusing on the greatness of a piece of art is one of the things that makes me happy. Another thing that makes me happy is reaching a complex understanding of a topic be it history, philosophy or art. There is something very rewarding about putting a lot of research and effort at understanding a complex topic and it just feels great to know about the many aspects of this world. Of course, family and friends make me happy as well but I didn’t want to make a bland answer.

Is it the sun's faithful rising

Or songbirds’ morning chorus

That wakens me to smiling?

The reason my heart’s joyous?

Perhaps providence of snow

Each flake a miracle

Makes feelings, happy, flow;

Tiny jewels of ice, delightful

Do sunflowers basking in the sun

While bees at work among us

Blossoms colors, cheery, fun

Make me frolick in the forest?

It’s those I share this with

My loves, life’s greatest treasure

And gratitude births happiness

A joy beyond all measure

What makes me happy?

A Wrinkle in Time

a stitch to save nine

her hand in mine

and seasons

Playing games with the boys

my daughter's 'Mom' voice

making way too much noise

and pizza

Putting toes over lines

trading nickels for dimes

gently losing my mind

and freedom

Choosing help over hurt

going late into work

wearing cheesy 'Dad' shirts

and re-runs

Singing songs in the dark

walking barefoot through parks

stealing that woman's heart

and reading

Doing right and not wrong

knowing words to this song

smacking King to be Kong

are reasons

Through the shouting

And the threats

And the loneliness

I focus on that one dazzling moment

Sat high in my parents cherry blossom tree

Petals falling all around me

Onto the pages of my book

I bite into a citrus

Juice dripping down my chin

I stare at the sky

I have peace

I find happiness in the smell of rain,

I find it in the thunderstorms and lightning.

I find it in the the moments that I laugh so hard I cry,

The moments my friends and I can hardly breathe as we clap like seals.

Happiness is in the quietness of the middle of the night when I get a text asking if I’m still awake,

Then talking about nothing and everything.

The simplest things in this world, the true unmistakable happiness that comes from them.

That is what I love.

Thwack!

Infant son on lap

Metes a friendly blow to face

I smile

He smiles

Let filial joy

Wash over us

Toddler daughter all up in TV’s face

Singing and jiving

To whatever’s on

She’s in a happy place

Wife ...

Now that's a beautiful light

That turned a dour fate

Into a marvelous thing

The kids would know

We would lend them wisdom

In due course

That this joy can’t be bought

Family.