Happiness

Happiness

Happiness

All the ingredients necessary for happiness:
I grew up well-fed, years away from
war, its aftermath.
When someone in the family knows
sacrifice as the only viable currency,
such knowledge seeps.
History must suffice.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
a miracle, cannot yield more loaves.
I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.

I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.
A miracle cannot yield more loaves.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
history, must suffice.
Such knowledge seeps:
sacrifice as the only viable currency
when someone in the family knows
war, its aftermath.
I grew up well-fed, years away from
all the ingredients necessary for happiness.