Happiness

Crystal, 2013, Elizabeth Forbes, Indianapolis Museum of Art, IN

Happiness is like a crystal,

Fair and exquisite and clear,

Broken in a million pieces, 

Shattered, scattered far and near.

Now and then along life's pathway,

Lo! some shining fragments fall;

But there are so many pieces

No one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beauty,

Or an honest share of wealth,

While another just beside you

Gathers honor, love or health.

Vain to choose or grasp unduly,

Broken is the perfect ball;

And there are so many pieces

No one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on they journey

Treasure every fragment clear,

Fit them as they may together,

Imaging the shattered sphere

Learning ever to be thankful,

Though their share of it is small;

For it has so many pieces 

No one ever finds them all.

Thinking Glass Figure, 2012, Daniel Arsham, detail, broken glass, resin

~ Pricilla Leonard