Trees are happy here, I’ve asked
Rocks are happy here, I’ve asked
Pallid blue, pitch black skies are both happy here
Roads, inside the city, and the country roads – Whirling Dervishes of the West – not quite tipsy but very happy here
Birds are happy; they have their share of the nectar
Cats are pretty happy although they don’t care to admit
The Sun is happy, even her glare is joyful
Stars are happy; no competition with the nightlights of the big city
The moon, of all the people, is quite cheerful here
I’ve asked many many people
A large number, I must say; all have confirmed they’re happy here, very happy here
Well, some looked displeased with my query,
Amazed, as if it was insane even to consider the opposite
I said sorry. I said of course. I said I know. I said I understand.
I have asked houses, all types of houses
They said they were all happy here, insanely happy here
They said they would not switch places with houses elsewhere, not ever
They were aware, they said, of evacuations, of abandonings, even bombings happening daily on poor houses elsewhere. “Isn’t that awful?”, they said.
Babies’ are quite happy, no complaints
I’ve asked dogs, all of them very appreciative, most obliged.
They said their only worry was that the owners might, god forbid, take them out of Owen Sound.
Cows, magnificent, serene cows, seem to be in perfect harmony with the meadow: they are happy here
The rain rains happy rains
She says she’s forgotten sorrows originally the cause of her constant mourning
She says here droplets do not clash with the ground here,
That’s a relief, she says.
The cause? She believes it’s the rocks.
The gentle, massive rocks have changed the murky nature of the earth.
The dreaded shaky ground is steady here in Owen Sound.
Snow likes it here
Stays clean, shimmering white all winter long
Doesn’t have to eat dirt like they do in Toronto
The wind is happy, very happy, hurling peacefully, no rush
I’m happy here
I’m happy here
Of course, I’m sorry don’t understand but I’m happy, quite happy here
.
Saghi Ghahraman
Owen Sound Ontario 2005