how many legs does happiness have?

does it reside in splashes of salt at
the feet of trees?   go ahead, taste!

is it amused spooning food
off your plate?

does it know your name?

when did you last hear it speak?

perhaps a casual encounter like
knock knock, who’s there?
applesauce.   applesauce who?

as sweet as your ears.   that’s who.

some koans live in Bakersfield.
never even heard of Japan.

when children play with clouds
does happiness know?

does it land, like gravity attracted to rain?

are rivers pleased no matter
the direction they flow?

they do, but you have to ask.