There is Joy

There is joy
In being understood
And accepted
Even in the understanding

There is joy
In being in the presence
Of one who truly cares about you
Without judgement

Fear of failure
Of not measuring up
Of not being seen
As perfect
All melt away

And as fear dissipates
Joy expands
Fills, lifts
Life blossoms

Life can be so hard
In the presence of rancor
And passionate disagreement
In a world where it seems
Lies are the norm
Greed is okay
Hate is applauded
Life can be so hard

But there is joy
In laughing
With a true friend
At our human foibles

There is joy
In an unexpected
Beverage break
In a welcoming space
Encountering new friends
And almost new.

There is joy
In a mountain vista
In red, crunchy apples
Dripping out deliciousness
With each bite
In autumn flowers
Holding court
For buzzing bees
And elegant butterflies

There is joy
In that first bite
Of fall’s special
An apple cider donut!

There is joy
In lifting my face
To partake of a heavenly shower
So welcome
After a seemingly interminable drought

There is joy~
And for that
I am most grateful
May I hold faith
That even when
The world
Seems so cruel
So heartless
That there will always
Be spaces
Places
And people
Of joy!



Patricia O’Connor
September 2025