Happiness Comes Quietly

It speaks for itself.

It doesn't come with
pageantry and pomp.
Happiness comes with the
soft whirl of the
ceiling fan, while I
sit and watch the
snow fall through
the venetian blinds.

It's the end of
debauched
momentary celebrations of
scoring enough
change to get a pint of
vodka, to avoid withdrawals.
Dead friends on a
street to nowhere.

Happiness comes softly in
the jingle, jangle bells on
the cat toy, as the
kittens play.
All around me, living things.
African violets and aloe vera plants.

I live for the Zen on
the banks of the pond
amidst the cattails and willows.
Bluegill and small bass
swim the shallows.

It's the end of chasing
the chaos of attaining
things that
rot and rust.
Happiness comes
quietly with a clear
conscience and some
good coffee, as I sit
on furniture that I own
and pray for my
fellow man.

It comes in the
bliss of a hot bath.
The spirit is cleansed in
love and gratitude.

Author's Note

Check out my book, Seedy Town Blues Collected Poems on Amazon.com and here's a link to my you tube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nphClD9P7IE

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Those little blessings are what make life worth waking up for! The money spent on living on a pedestal far from the 'ornery' usually ends in being broke and become a foolish 'ornery

Your poem reaches out to reviewers' senses, mentioning those small things such as, ' .. the jingle, jangle bells on the cat toy, as the kittens play.' Presumably in minor key but such relevant music!? Is right to not merely look but see..

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much for the comment.

[Dave Brown]

Certainly happiness does not come out of a bottle of Vodka, I have watched as a relative has that very bottle destroy him
However, the little playful kittens are another thing all together. (after they are toilet trained!)

[Thomas W Case]

Lol, that is for sure, I love sobriety now. The drink has killed many friends. Thanks for the comment.

[Arundass TP]

Happiness.it comes from satisfaction,desire fulfilled. Each line is brilliantly written.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank so much

[John the Baptist]

Heavy life lessons here. The speaker is one who has apparently emerged in one piece from a period of serious addiction, during which he saw friends succumb to the same things he was doing. He doesn't say how he healed, only how he is now enjoying healing's benefits. Now he takes pleasure in the play of kittens, knows happiness comes with a clear conscience and a valuing of the simple things. It is a lesson that, unfortunately, many didn't learn.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, John

[Fran Marie]

Happiness comes in many forms
..& quiet serenity is certainly one
in holding the moment..
...Nicely conveyed

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you.

[Neville]

as elusive as it may well be for many and for so long .. you just nailed it Thomas and left it hanging here for all of us to sample, taste and see .. Neville

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks bro. Much appreciated.

[D. Mansfield]

Thanks for reminding me how good it is, great writing

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much.

[JD Major]

Well-written, Thomas. At the same time powerful and gentle to the ear.
I'd change only one word ... "Happiness comes quietly with a 'calmed' conscience and some good coffee."
(You nailed it with coffee ~ dark roast, black :)

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[Chris Shaw]

It is in the little things that come our way that happiness smiles on us. Sadly too many are blind to those little blessings. Fabulous poetry Thomas.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much Chris

[Stella Armour]

It does come quietly and softly when we count the blessings we have and enjoiy the little things ....

[Thomas W Case]

I agree. Thank you for stopping by.

[Stella Armour]

You are very welcome ..