I prefer to watch happiness through a glass window.
Physically seeing the barrier between us and placing my hands
on the smooth, cold surface--crystal hardness pressing back;
gentle light coolly shining through, illuminating my face.
On the other side of that window is dancing smiling celebration--
jubilation for a union, a birth, life and loving in the same snapping
dance steps and parachuting skirts of spinning young fairies,
their delicate wings appearing and disappearing in the glittering light.
The wine is poured freely on the other side of this window.
Red cheeked men are patting shoulders and poking ribs with pudgy
elbows and sweaty palms. Bellies jiggling every which way.
Wide creases pushing back thick, shaking jowls.
Pearly white lilies match perfectly the smiling teeth
of a pair of elegant women in golden embroidered dresses.
A red stain forgotten on a pluming dancers skirt--
wispy brown hairs decidedly no longer out of place.
Hidden under a table, a young boy in a handed down suit
is red faced and sweating after his first kiss was laid on his cheek
by a little girl in ruby red shoes who still dances on her fathers toes.
A peck I could still feel burning on my face after so many years.
