The Case for Happiness

 Tell me truly, swearing by your peace of mind,
 selling the past, washing it clean, hiding your face in yesterday's rooms,
 what do you live on?
 On the rumination of old memories,
 sorrows that, when you look at them, seem like joy—
 with these you make merry in happiness!
 When day piles upon day and darkness comes dressed as night,
 you still live surrounded by grief!
 How do you manage?
 You keep pain alive with your tears—
 the way rose thorns survive with such care—
 just so, in wounded pride,
 taking anguish as companion,
 knowing the luxury of suffering as your own,
 in what happiness do you live like this?
 The sorrow that is yours alone—
 keeping fountains of joy behind you,
 why do you think only in such ways?
  
 Yes, Fate, I admit it's all too true!
 Here I am, living fiercely on the past—
 as I am almost every day, far too much!
 My living, my life, my way,
 everything revolves on my path, in my manner.
 Less happiness brings more peace—let none understand, I do!
 That's why I—
 even in joys from twenty years ago
 smile quietly in the same happiness!
 Adding and subtracting, I think, I'm doing well!
 Even if joy never comes again
 to this life,
 what's there to grieve?
 When new joy's touch arrives,
 in new life's new country,
 when life adorns everyone in new swings,
 even then, just like this,
 I'll stay away, easily distant from guest-happiness's invitation.
 Forgetting joy's tide completely, I'll keep living
 on past joys alone—I'm quite content in this belief!
 Fate, tell me,
 what's wrong with that?
 Life will pass anyway,
 dressed in past enchantment's new garb!
 Childhood's butterfly still flies scattering colors
 right now in my mind's center.
 That tree, like a thicket,
 still returns, spinning round and round, calling me
 to distant forests—when I see
 evening descending on this city's terraces, office rooftops,
 the day ending.
 Small life, just one!
 It will pass anyway—
 flying on colored kite strings,
 floating on butterfly wings,
 living in dreams, spinning in air,
 in the wonderful country of simple joys!