Happiness Poem by Lee Gelis

Happiness is real when shared.
That’s what they say.
I’m not so sure. At least, I’m not so sure.
I’m different. I’m not like others.
I know that whereas others need each other,
I only need myself.
I know that when I am most alone,
I am most happy.
I would continue this, but I know
That you will begin believing this about yourself.
You may say, Oh, I think he’s right.
In truth, I am probably wrong.
After all, I am only human.
I am young, and probably stupid.
A year from now I may have none of
Same sentiment I have now writing this.
Perhaps I am a result of only my experience.
I have never kept a friend.
Perhaps this is because of who I am,
Or more likely, I’m just picky.
Everyone I’ve ever known I’ve searched for
Excuses to abandon.
For every hundred people I meet,
Maybe one will stop to talk to me.
For every twenty that stop to talk to me,
Maybe one will continue to talk to me.
For every ten that continue to talk to me,
Maybe one will remain there long enough
For me to call a friend.
Very rarely do I hand out this title, a friend
Is something I take to a very serious nature.
People hand this term out freely,
Sometimes it only takes a minute, a few seconds,
But I use it with importance.
When they say happiness is something to share,
I know what they mean, but cannot understand.
I can give happiness, I am easily excited.
I will bring joy and exuberance where previously
There was none.
But how many have returned this abstract,
I know of not many.
I could, at this moment, raise one hand,
And have more fingers raised
Than those who have shared happiness with me.
This is simple logic.
But logic is simple, logic is direct,
Humans are neither of these things.
I find it true that I am happier alone,
This universe and myself are all I need.
But the truth of the matter is,
Being alone is my calling, a simple life,
Climbing mountains for the view can be astounding,
But everything one cares about is left down below.
It may not be true for much longer,
Poetry may not be true for much longer,
But we are just a pale blue dot in the sea of nothing.
Everything we know and care about
Is but nothing to the grand scheme.
But we, ourselves, are important.
We, our human insolence,
Our hypocritical innocence,
We are all that are important.
Even to me.
I can be one with the universe
But not whole without human.
This is simple logic.
I am happier alone,
But not happy without others.
Happiness is best when shared.
Real when shared.
Especially with the self.
I shall continue sharing
Regardless of the response.
And maybe it will be
One hundred, or one thousand,
Maybe even one million people
That I have to go through
Until I find but one,
And maybe it’s not worth it.
The universe has its ways,
I dare not tempt its balance,
Perhaps it just needs time,
Time enough to work,
No stalk has ever sprouted and flowered
Within a child’s temper.
And of course, you will take this to heart
And vow a life of change.
Maybe a week, a day, an hour,
How long till you forget?
Change not, try not,
Simply be.
I always hated tryers as they
Never tried themselves.
But so, nevertheless,
We allow ourselves such folly.
Off unto the sunset we shall chase away our lives,
Or remain so still the sunset never changes.
Trust me when I say this:
I know not the secret to happiness,
But happy I can be.