Happiness is a house we built up on a hill.
The old doors hanging loosely from the hinges.
A dusty photograph inside a frame with shattered glass.
Dishes in the sink from meals we’ve forgotten.
The big spiders in the corner playing possum.

Happiness is a bird we set free down in the valley.
Heaven sent her with a broken wing.
A cut on her throat wouldn’t let her sing.
Beautiful were her eyes.
Her feathers still spread our scent wherever she flies.

Happiness is that blue car we used to hide out in.
Old thing with only a single window.
The radio still worked but we couldn’t hear the music when the wind would blow.
Flat wheels with black wheel caps
Warm cloth seats for afternoon naps.
Never heard the hum of her engine
But they always told us that car was really somethin’.

Happiness is our son with the best of us both in his eyes.
That summer afternoon when he first crawled through the grass.
The smell of powder on his skin.
The way he grasped our fingers without looking.
Never forgetting to love his sister.
Crying his eyes out whenever he missed her.

Happiness is a bear i gave you one spring.
Not the biggest they had in the store
But my God I think that made you love him more.
His coat would always shine.
The empty look in his plastic eye.
His smart glasses and goofy bow tie.

Happiness is a letter I wrote to you alone in the dark.
Ink all on my hands and itchy forehead.
A bleeding pen a scholar left for dead.

Happiness is the last pair of animals Noah lead into the arc.
One male and one female.
One following the other by the tail.

Happiness is half a memory of a story you told me once.
Hours and hours you went on
Before I knew it we were singing an old song.
A song about a house on a hill,
A broken bird,
And an old car with a radio and steering wheel.
A son who had his parent’s love,
A stuffed bear with all the right stuff.
A blind man’s love letters.
And a game reserve on a boat floating on forgotten waters.

Happiness is the song you taught me
The only song that I remember.

Happiness is a poem that ends with words like;
“Forever and ever”
“Yesterday was better”
And
“I’ll kiss it tomorrow and make it all better”

? Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar