> Hello again Sue,
                  It may well just be me but I´m not so sure about this one. There are some very nice phrases and imagery and I like the tone of the poem but it´s the subject that bothers me. I feel the poem is reaching for a definition, almost, of happiness and it´s  such an abstract and personal thing that definition is fraught with the dangers of sentimentality and platitudes. Perhaps one way to approach the theme is to focus on the images without actually mentioning the word `happiness´ at all. But as I said, this may just be a question of an attitude on my part, so use or ignore this as you think best.



Best wishes,      Mike



 > Lähettäjä: Sue Scalf <[log in to unmask]>
> Päiväys: 2003/10/21 ti PM 02:34:52 GMT+03:00
> Vastaanottaja: [log in to unmask]
> Aihe: new: Brief as a Breath
> 
> Brief as a Breath, Happiness
> 
> 
> returns in morning's pewter light.
> It is there in the hiss of waves
> and at night the glow of sand
> brings it back again.
> 
> In autumn happiness sifts through leaves,
> lingers with the scent of cider in the air,
> caresses with the feel of a warm robe
> after a cold, damp walk.
> 
> In winter it appears with Debussey
> and conjured memories of other days.
> It is there in firelight's molten heart
> and shadows in a darkened room.
> 
> Tell me what joy is, or ask.
> I shall say it is a wisp, little else,
> no more than a kiss upon the lips
> or words whispered there.
> 
> Sue Scalf
>