a moment

I know I need to write tonight, but I just don't have anything to put out there that is at all interesting or uplifting or thoughtful. I think I'm stuck in what I call "situational muck". It isn't as if nothing is happening. Things are happening. Lots of good stuff percolating, but despite it all I'm a bit sad tonight. So rather than spew sadness here, I'll instead leave you with a poem I read tonight titled Happiness by Raymond Carver. It's a glimpse into a moment so palpable we can taste it. I witnessed one the other morning as I watched a man with his child cross the street. He put his hand up to traffic and gently shepherded her across. The adoration I witnessed in that 15 second occurrence was as pure as anything I've ever seen.

Happiness by Raymond Carver

So early it's still almost dark out.
I'm near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren't saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other's arm.
It's early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn't enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.