*Phyllis Hammett

Phyllis Hammett

So early it's still almost dark out.

I'm near the window with coffee,

and the usual early morning stuff

that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend

walking up the road

to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,

and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.

They are so happy

they aren't saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take

each other's arm...

Such beauty that for a minute

death and ambition, even love, 

doesn't enter into this.

Happiness.  It comes on

unexpectedly.  And goes beyond, really, 

any early morning talk about it. 

 - Raymond Carver, from "Happiness"

Phyllis walks every day up the hill to the top of our street. 

She sits down for a while on my neighbours wall, 

stand up and shuffle back to her home. 

She always walks alone. Only she and her walking frame. 

Smiling. 

Sun, wind, snow. 

She walks.  

Even though I don't know her... seeing her shuffling,

sitting on the wall....touches my heart. 

"Happiness. It comes on unexpectedly."