PLAYING

I watch from outside myself.

Back, forth - the hallway.

Aging woman forgets her joints.
She pushes a two year old girl on a tricycle,

while the young one laughs, gives giggling orders, 

"More!"

Later, the woman goes for an unusual walk 

involving a snowball fight with a six year old boy

who disagrees about the discomfort of the cold.

Instead, he laughs with white flakes, 

Uses them as toys.

Once home, peace is disguised in waves of noise.  

The woman, contradicts her love of silence, smiles,

joins the shrieks of playful joy.

Watching myself flow

through moments immersed
in carefree chaos of youthful innocence,

I recognize my happiness.

It's not something I pursue,

It is something I know.

(For Susan's promt, "Joy", at Poets United.))