-- Phantom Happiness –
John Herlihy
Happiness but a phantom that through our minds roam,
Always searching, ever seeking, that one elusive home.
We desire happiness because we know it brings peace,
An intermingling of beauty and bliss that will never cease,
But cease it does, flower petals that soon wilt and fade,
Happiness not an ocean but shallow shore where we wade.
Indeed, something tidal about happiness in its ebb and flow,
Pulled by its surge, then thrown into winds that freely blow.
True, happiness eludes us, as far-reaching as that distant star,
Glimmers of a snow-clad mountain peak draped in mist afar.
As substantive as a shadow that we embrace in our despair,
A mirage in the desert of our lives, shimmering illusive flair.
We think of happiness on the outside, looking meekly within,
Money, success, and fame, all to ward of those feelings grim.
We accumulate possessions, seek laurels, some achieve fame,
Without ever realizing that happiness more than just a name.
What is it then that I seek, what is it that will make me happy,
An infant in the embrace of mother’s arms, snug in its nappy.
A babe who knows nothing of sorrow wards off feelings forlorn,
As if its happiness a gentle reminder of a time before being born.
Happiness can never be merely a possession but a state of mind,
Realized by lifting the world’s veil unto a reality of another kind.
Happiness not an artifact of the world, but nurtured from within,
Resonating music in our being evoked from the strings of a violin.
Let us welcome these feelings of happiness as a long lost friend,
To pursue all those things that make us happy, not to pretend.
To help others, to help ourselves, to pursue our own fulfillment,
To enrich life with a sense of purpose leading to contentment.
We learn to play this lyrical music from hands of the grand Master,
As we shape ourselves as sculpture taught by the master sculptor.
Happiness not a phantom ghost that arrives from recesses of night,
Rather a sense of joyous presence fueled by the reality of divine light.
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Copyright ©John Herlihy
Monday 5 December 2022
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station in life, Lovely sentiments John, as usual when it comes to poetic revelation, you never any stones unturned, thoroughly love this John, Merry Christmas !
Happiness, is but a brief, but joyful emotion that comes over us from time to time. And it often comes unexpected, like when we look up at the television screen and see some wonderful little kid doing antics or even an animal, and can't help but laugh at the pure joy of it.
May we have many happy events before we die. I recall how my mother's face lit up every time I appeared from so far away after so long. She was overjoyed at just seeing me. And later, just giggled at her telling me about her simple life in assisted living but so happy to share with me in our own little telephone conversations when she would call on Monday afternoon.
Ron