Dimly Lighting The Way Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Finding a ray of light: happiness is a switch I flick
in my brain and has nothing to do with applause,
praise or intensity; happiness is a state of balance,
order, rhythm and harmony, not concerned with
self-gratification but fidelity to a worthy purpose

Best of all, happiness depends on self-discipline -
the very object of my life as a child, though I failed
to attain happiness when success was my only goal,
once happiness came by staying sane and setting
reachable standards while sorting out my values

I also achieved success; happiness means something
different to each person but serves the same purpose:
makes us feel at ease, satisfied and calm, hopeful and
dreamy - and this is all I ever want, a far-off mystery
inviting me to follow by the light of the little

Glow-worms of hope, dimly lighting the way…

[26 January 2015]