Many of you might be familiar with American writer Raymond Carver for his iconic short stories, such as the minimalist/raw yet elegant pieces that comprise Cathedral or What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. He was born in Oregon in 1938 and died from lung cancer at the age of 50 in 1988, only six weeks after his marriage to poet Tess Gallagher.
In his unfortunately abbreviated lifetime , Carver also wrote some fine poetry; in fact, I think he published more anthologies of poems than he did stories. Tonight, I give you one.
"Happiness"--Raymond Carver 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.
live in the layers 