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Raymond Carver - Happiness

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.

Added: on June 24th, 2007 at 4:04 AM | Viewed: 112204 times | Comments and analysis of Happiness by Raymond Carver Comments (20)


Happiness - Comments and Information

Poet: Raymond Carver
Poem: Happiness
Poem of the Day: Jul 19 2004

Comment 20 of 20, added on March 20th, 2008 at 10:21 AM.

It amazes me that there are certain people who go to the trouble of posting a comment on here informing the masses that they don't understand this poem and that its mundane/boring whatever. Maybe these people are exploring the worng type of literature.....try OK magazine or HELLO ! This poem to me reads as though Carver himself is able to find relief from all the chaos in his life, perhaps his fears of ill health, leaving behind loved ones etc. He focuses on the two boys outside delivering papers and is overcome by the innocence and purity of their presence. Yes they are "just paperboys" however, anyone with a single ounce of compassion or intellect should find some kind of pleasure in entering into the writer's mindset. I love this poem. Anyone who has had pain in their lives like myself I am sure will find solice in this poem.

Danny boy from United Kingdom
Comment 19 of 20, added on March 17th, 2008 at 11:19 PM.

Carver is my favourite writer and poet, I love his simplicity, lack of pretentions and subtleness. I had read this poeam thousands of times and it never stops amazing me his straightness, his almost totally naked writing.

Daniel from Chile
Comment 18 of 20, added on June 24th, 2007 at 4:04 AM.

This is beautifull poem about a beautifull moment.That is happiness.

vanja from Yugoslavia

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