Roots

The stone bench beneath me
Is cool to the touch
The warmth leeches out of my body
As I gaze through sliding glass doors
I close my eyes
And feel a breeze on my face
The smell of wet dirt welcomes my nose
And the wind chimes play their mournful tune
The last rays of dusk leave the sky
And night truly falls at last
Taking a deep breath
I feel weightless
And the strain of moving tables
Raking stone
Hanging lights
Is lifted from my body
There is only me
And the stone bench that holds my weight
Looking back inside, through the doors
I see a different space
I do not recognize its fresh paint
Reupholstered chairs
New mosaic lights
I realize the feeling of domestic happiness
As it settles over me
From the day's work
And I can't believe that unexpectedly
This place feels like home
After two and a half years
Plus two and a half more
I think this place which I so scorned
Will hold me here for good
I no longer want to leave
I wish to stay grounded

Price Tag Happiness

Get her what she really wants this Christmas:

Perfume, a new car, jewelry

Rubies sapphires diamonds!

A massage, a night out, a luxury cruise

50% off, what a steal

Get him what he really wishes for:

A truck, tools, outdoor gear

Tickets to the football season

A 72 inch TV

(That’ll keep him busy)

Save buckets of money for the really important things

Get them everything on their lists:

Dolls, cars, legos galore

Video games, electronics, phones, and more

Everything they never dreamed

Until seeing it in the shop windows

‘Tis the season of giving

The only important thing to remember

Is that no one is ever happy

Nobody will be satisfied with what they have

Because there’s always more

So, make sure to prepare for everything

Go overboard and cover it all

Join the throngs of 12/26 crowds

Rushing to return the happiness they borrowed

The joy they could only rent

It doesn’t matter anyway,

Because everyone’s happy

But no one’s ever happy

There’s always something else

Another distraction to replace

Real happiness

Make sure you have everything you need

Leave nothing out

Be prepared for the slightest altercation

Put on a brave face

Smile

Let no one see your fears

It’s almost upon us

The beast has arrived

Time to be happy in a world

That values nothing

Except dirt