Happiness is...: A poem by Nisha Raviprasad

the dawdling dusk seemed to linger some more

and on the beach drifting into sleepy gray 

were chiaroscuros, most running about in a mad frenzy

few deliriously drowned in a bubble of foamy blather 

silly young lovers holding on to each other fighting time

laughter and smiles, hugs and kisses, silence and eager prattle

happiness exudes in the salty air, waves grab my feet

for a moment I stay devoid of vacillating thoughts

a bounce within touching the perse hues of the sky

and I float in a perfect oasis of bliss

till his stretched hand looks at me

his white hair, dirty and unkempt, draped around

was an old rag, tattered, sewn a million times

sorrow in his wrinkled face pleaded and such

anguish clawed into my bones, and grave agony arose

I got up rummaging my pockets and purse

I saw him eat as never before, smile at me

with old yet glimmering eyes that my heart swelled 

with such happiness, that I struggled to breath

Happiness is in giving, loving, sharing with lesser privileged ones.