Happiness, by Raymond Carver

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 have on caps and sweaters, and the 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 palely 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.