What’s going on here?

Synapses is a repository for columns, rants and reflections, mostly on secular humanist issues and politics in South Africa. Please take a look around, and leave a comment if so inclined. You can also subscribe by RSS, or follow me on Twitter.

Who writes this stuff?

All the content, unless otherwise specified, is the work of Jacques Rousseau. If you want to get in touch with me, here are some contact details. Please do not reproduce content elsewhere without linking back to the relevant post.

Comment policy

I'm a firm believer in free speech. However, there are ample opportunities for venting of spleen elsewhere on the internet. I reserve the right to edit or delete comments that exceed the threshold of my tolerance for stupidity or malice.

Happiness

by Raymond Carver

So early it’s still almost dark out.
I’m near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren’t saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other’s arm.
It’s early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn’t enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.


Related Posts

Leave a Reply