It is

It is

So easy a question,

The words not

Too hard to find

Can be said by anybody,

To any one

At any time.

They may sit

On the tip of a tongue

Waiting for permission

To tumble out

Or be held back,

Stuck in the throat

When the answer

Is something to fear.

On occasions

They can be

Repeated too easily,

Parrot fashion,

With little thought

For the consequence.

Complacence,

Rinsing clean their meaning

And the answer

Conceived as a token

Even before it is spoken.

Too complex a notion

For a glib response

To a gift

Or special occasion,

Happiness

Is so much more

Than a night out

Or a shopping spree.

You can be sad

When life conspires

Against you,

But still be glad

You are loved,

And held dear

By those who care enough

To be there

Through hard times,

And stay close by

Until you can say

Life is not just about beer,

And skittles,

The world turns,

It is good to be alive.

You will survive

There might even be days

When you can say,

Happiness is a feeling

Deeply held,

Not just a word,

And you feel it.