Strange Joy

When an unexpected good mood arrives

I woke up one morning
and a strange joy had fallen upon me
I rose slowly
not wanting to let the heat
of too much activity
burn away this dew

And instead of treating it as
a pleasant but inconsequential
background hum
to the real work of living
I rearranged my day
to honor this unexpected visitor
just as I would
if a beloved freind
I had not seen in ages
suddenly appeared on my doorstep
bearing gifts

I let myself spend a day with joy
feeding it love
to strengthen it
whispering to it all
I appreciated about my life
that I usually ignore
just to watch it glow with pleasure

For one day
I let myself be a joyful fool
in love with the feeling
of the smooth, cool fork in my hand as I ate
laughing with delight
that I can sit and stand and walk
from room to room
on strong, dimpled legs

For one day
I let go of all
my usual ways of being
and let myself get drunk on the cheap wine
of simply having lived long enough
and survived enough
sorrow
to let the contrast
tickle me
that on this simple day
I was alive
and nothing was terribly wrong

I hope that
this strange joy
felt honored
by my hospitality
and had such a good time
with me
that it won’t hesitate
to knock on my door again
someday soon

---

With love,
Olivia