the meaning of life

once i strolled upon a shore
to see what i could see
once i picked up a paper
and read what was inscribed
at the top it said
"BEHOLD; THE MEANING OF LIFE"
and so i began to behold
to read on and on
but the paper said nothing.
only one word was repeated.

"HAPPINESS."

and this confused me.
why i said is the meaning of life
so simple and straightforward.
i thought for days
i thought for nights and finally came to this conclusion:
to want to live is to be happy
to want to be happy is to live
and yet i have not yet moved
from this sandy lonely beach
i know i live.
for i am happy.




7-3-91