Tuesday, 10 January 2017

Bonjour Bonheur



Hello Happiness! Hello, Stranger!
I knew I’d recognise you straight off
even though we’ve never met – it’s been rough
for the longest time, yet I wonder


if you’ve had it smooth? as smooth as you’d like?
It can’t be easy putting on that smile
day after day, pick a base, decide
where to stay put, when to go; mostly life


upends the anchors when least expected.
Humans make poor hosts, their own innate drive
is to prod things. They compel you to leave.
Are you happy with being a nomad?


I at least have the thin pretence
of freedom, and love of this existence.







I don't do resolutions but I started the year with a vague sort of goal - 'minimal exclamation marks' and well, that didn't last long, did it? :) Shot to pieces ten days in.  And even when the prompt is 'happy' - yes, the real actual word - and I start out determined to write something upbeat and positive and merry..... aaargh! No pen control. So frustrating. Is it just me? :)

Maybe I should add emoticons on the minimal list too...on second thoughts...





22 comments:

  1. There was only one exclamation point. That's a good start.

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  2. No pen control?! You! Nila! Very controlled. I only found one exclamation mark!! It got the job done ✅

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    1. Two in the first line, first stanza... :) and what kind of control is it when you're trying to write to 'happy' and end up writing 'transient'? sigh..

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  3. Happiness!! Exclamation marks!!! Maybe better to embrace them both and then be typically human and do the opposite? Conflicting emotions - always a struggle for control. Good luck in 2017

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    1. I spend my life in a close embrace with exclamation marks :)

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  4. Aw, you're doing fine. Don't worry. :)

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  5. Only two exclamation points is a most excellent start.
    I can't think of anyone (other than kindness) to whom I would rather say 'Don't be a stranger...'
    (And ellipses are my big weakness.)

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  6. "Is it just me?" - Yes it is.
    Glorious too

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  7. You are doing quite well. Moving forward is how we keep progressing. So any troubles you think might have will be solved as you move forward. A very good poem today I'll say.

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    1. Time moves me forward whether I like it or not...sometimes would be a relief to retreat. Glad you liked the poem

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  8. Hi Nila - I'm hope with those things too ... and then these wonderful 'spaces' using ... which when I use them are not what they appear to say in Wiki ... mine are for continuation on ... ah well and I see Elephant's Child has my weakness too ...

    Love your writing and it's the uniqueness that counts ... we're here ... perhaps we'd disappear if there weren't any !!! ....?????? cheers Hilary

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    1. My punctuation is beyond terrible, getting worse and needs immediate attention :)

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  9. Wow! A great take on the prompt Nilanjana. Asking happiness how it feels moving from human to human..loved reading this.

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    1. Happiness rarely stays put in one place or heart, right? Glad you liked the poem

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  10. Happy New Year, you're perfect - Live long and Prosper!

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    1. Happy New Year to you too. Thank you for your wishes.

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  11. Haha...minimal exclamations! I had decided that too, in 2015. I think I did succeed in the resolution when I wrote fiction/non-fiction to a specific purpose, but exclamations are a necessary ingredient in a candid blog post. Happy new year!

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    1. A necessary ingredient? hmmm....happy new year to you too!

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