Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Hapless

By Joseph Hesch

He sees others’ smiles and wonders
what it is they feel, what is the power
that makes their faces bend up so.
He puts himself in
those peoples’ places
but the mirror shows his face is
still hanging lank from
the knots on his brows.
Serious men gave him pills,
and would listen while he talked.
Then he’d nod while they hummed
their impressions of
the cant of a sad loon.
All the while, he listened to other calls
as he lay at the dark bottom
of the guilt-gilded hole in his world.
“Why can’t you be happy?” rang
the painful echoes of all
his life’s disappointed voices.
He would’ve told them he had tried,
but they'd never understand.
Maybe understanding was
his real problem after all:
Maybe what would
make him happy was
simply understanding
what their “happy” is.

4 comments:

  1. This strikes me as a very good way of expressing it Joe. I have a friend who suffers from drpression I'm going to share this with.

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  2. this was a strong and tight write joe...you captured this deep hole of depression so very well

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  3. Joseph - this piece is a great reflection of what can turn the countenance from lost to hopeful
    This is the type poem that has the ability to change a person's view of life

    So grateful for poets like you who usetheir voice

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  4. I'm quite confident that once I have that definition figured out, that "Happiness" will be much easier to find. I think the easiest part of life in this bubble is finding out what makes you NOT happy! Again, potent words weaved in such a laid~back and relatable way, that the real depth sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you are closing the screen to ponder...wonderful Joe...as per the norm!

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