Mr. Happiness

Happiness is somewhere along the M6

in a traffic jam on one of the hottest days of 2023.

Happiness has his hand, palm flat

and dewy from the salt spray, resting

between the back seats of a Citroen C3.

Happiness turns to happiness and sees happiness

and in the rear view mirror, wearing sunglasses,

happiness again. Happiness changing the music

on the aux cord. Happiness singing along

to Fireflies by Owl City as the car

crawls over 30mph for the first time in twenty minutes.

Happiness sits in a shoreside restaurant

with his friends of the same name. They're a right lot,

all of them, wearing bright colours

and spreading crystals across the table,

a synthesis of movement and inside jokes.

Happiness doesn't see their imperfections,

wouldn't dream of criticising them,

wouldn't want for anything besides, maybe, if he's lucky,

a little more time before the sun goes down.