j was young&happy (and everyone hated her for it)

By Paul L. Thomas, Ed.D. | Originally Published at the everyday motion of artifacts. April 2, 2014

Happiness hit her like a train on a track…
Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back
“Dog Days Are Over,” Florence + The Machine

j was young&happy
(and everyone hated her for it)

everyone was old&bitter
as a sock worn for 37 days in summer

when j smiled she was radiant&beautiful
and j always smiled

everyone noticed and assumed for no reason
j often broke into song&dance

j preferred Florence + The Machine
but sometimes she was making it all up

everyone complained and it was a fact
j caused more than one wreck singing&dancing

although no one was ever inured
and cars can be repaired relatively easily

j was young&happy
(and everyone hated her for it)

and this was something j never knew
because happiness is a bullet-proof vest on a warm&sunny day