the sweet scent
of happiness
fills the ever
winding corridors
wildflower
with a hint
of honey and citrus
notes of spring
the heady smells
fill the heart
interlace
through the cobweb
soulstuff
lingering
a balm
that softens scars
illuminates
secret pockets of joy
in the crevices
to be savored
at a later time

alas, even the most
subtle hint of happiness
draws the gnats
a squirming cloud
of tiny wings
dripping
insignificance
even as they
do everything
they can
to draw attention from
the momentary bliss
to their own
desperate need
to be seen
the short life
clawing to matter
even as
the twitching bodies
fall to the floor
emaciated
from ravenous desire
for a single taste
of that which
they don’t, can’t
understand