Joy

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
~ Mary Oliver

I love this poem. I will admit that at first it was the opening two sentences that caught my attention but I urge you to read the rest, actually, read it aloud. It’s beautiful, in words and sentiment. I feel like in some ways it captures something about human nature, that even in the face is horror there is still possibility.

“We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left.”

And what of joy. Definition: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

“It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins.”

In the daffodils blooming outside my window or the dog doing zoomies in the garden.
In his arms wrapped round me as I drift off to sleep and there again in the morning when I wake.
In the tea in bed he brings me in the morning
In the cake he bakes
In my daughters smile
In my sons laughter

Maybe joy is really love.

I think they are certainly best friends and it can be found in all sorts of places, from the warm sun on your skin and the sound of the water lapping at the shore to watching your lover in throes of pleasure. It can be found in a peaceful moment with a cup of coffee or the noisy gathering of all your friends. It can be found in clean sheets or when you finally hoover the stairs or when you tick something off from your to do list or type the words The End on your work in progress.

“don’t be afraid of its plenty.
Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
~ Mary Oliver

Find it now, look around you, there is something right there in front of you.

Let yourself feel it.

If only for a moment
And then a moment more.