YOU MUST BE HAPPY 

All is well or should be well,
     yet something makes the cat
switch her tail just once.
     You consider the pure colors
of your belongings.
     but you feel it,
like the perturbation of water,
     feel it tighten
the side of your face
     and slide down
     the side of your neck.

Did someone come in the night
     to stand in the room,
touching the little bottles
     on the bureau,
     leaving one slightly askew?

Dogs are barking somewhere.
     Somewhere babies
stir in their sleep.
     You touch your bureau,
your yellow bed.
     All is complete
or should be complete.
     You must be happy
You must be as happy
     as a leaf,
as happy as a yellow stone,
     round and serene
     in the light.

          - Barbara Daniels

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