It’s the little joys in life 
That lift and hug the soul;
It’s the little brushes with sublimity
That paint the rosiest strokes  

It’s the steaming mugs of tea shared
With a friend, over confidences and laughter;
The mugs wrapped in hands as warm as the hearts 
That are bonding, ministering, healing ... and after
Memorializing that perfect little moment of joy.

It’s the sudden cool breeze that caresses the cheek
And then wraps me up in its vital embrace;
It’s the happy burst of a monsoon shower
As she dances and cleanses; prances and quenches
Leaving behind her intoxicating petrichor 
In a joyful bouquet of nostalgia and grace

It’s the intrepid, songful, mirthful mynah
That unexpectedly struts right up to my feet 
Warbling of little delights; trilling with all her might
Laying her little heart bare in melodious refrain 
It’s the big, big soul in that fragile frame
That reminds me of the precious little joys.

It’s the beautiful Sakura tree, bounteous in its white and pink 
Waiting for a wayward breeze to stir up her flower-bedecked limbs;
It is seeing the frolicsome duo of tree and breeze
Create magic in a moment they mutually seize 
As the blossoms flutter down in lusty effusion
Covering the ground with inflorescent profusion 
An enchanting, enthralling moment of joy.

It’s little kindnesses wrought in the moment 
A helping hand on a busy street,
A warm smile in the milieu of rushing feet 
A tender word to the transiently fallen 
A little something more for the lonely and forgotten 
It’s seeing this shared transcendental camaraderie
That gives me that small little rush of joy.

It’s looking up into a clear night sky
And finding Orion and Taurus winking up high
It’s watching the Big Dipper look tenderly upon 
Little Ursa Minor nestling just under the moon 
It’s seeing our little world from the vastness of space 
That fills me with joy and bolsters my faith 

The quickening string that binds us all
Our whole web of life; all living creatures
Are these startlingly simple acts of joy
These wondrous, alchemical creations of nature
It’s this coming together of life’s vital energy 
That lifts and elates with its mystical synergy 
This is the mannah that nurtures the soul 
Mending our cracks and making us whole.