The Old Have To Work For Their Happiness Poem by Shalom Freedman

THE OLD HAVE TO WORK FOR THEIR HAPPINESS

The Old have to work for their happiness-
It does not come easily
And spontaneously
As the laughter of children
As the wild joy of youth -

They have to strive against the pain and disappointments
They have to strive against all the losses
All the difficult memories-

They have to courageously determine
To make the best of what they have
And try not to complain-

To see Beauty wherever they can find it
And make of every little moment of happiness
Something to be savored-

It is hard to be old and happy,
And those who make it have courage
And luck and blessing als0-
Against so much suffering they have known
They must look to whatever light can still be seen-