Happiness

for Everyone

“We are not put on earth to be happy but to ensure

The effective production of Daihatsu Hatchbacks”

Peter Porter (Civilization and its Disney Contents)

(i)

Do not expect the whoop of happiness

to be a true companion; try, instead,

to reconcile yourself to misery,

for you and I are failures (are we not?)

and misery is failure’s wretched son.

(ii)

Maybe I oversimplify, for sake

of being candid (please excuse this fault).

I could be wrong, but if we all agree

on stanza (i), perhaps the joint acceptance

might bring us all a pinch of happiness?

(iii)

Alternatively, bomb around the town

proclaiming, “I am happy! I am happy!”

when clearly you are not. Your rictal mask

won’t fool us partners from the Dismal Bloc.

If you agree, please let me know. Who’s with me?