Elusive as the mist resting atop the mountains, elusive as a perfume tantalisingly familiar, elusive as an illusion performed before your eyes. You come like a naughty prankster in a mysterious disguise, and before you can be contained, you slip away again. My elusive friend “happiness”, where do I find, so I can forever, hold you inside. But your beauty is your spirit, so free and untamed, never to be tied in any bonds or chained. Yes you come to me in instances, of thundery drops of rain, in pine scented forests, at the peak of a mountain range, in a rumble of waves as they crash upon a quiet shore, gazing at the stars, or a dusky sky, as the sun sinks to its core. Or as I walk along a path all lined with flowers wild, I feel nature encompass me, and the sheer joy makes me smile. I feel you gurgling inside and want you to stay. But my elusive friend happiness you are already on your way. How do you explain to them, where they should go, to find you happiness. My elusive friend, do let me know These are all moments of happiness immeasurably true. The preciousness of which, we don’t have a clue. We live in a world all mechanised, and new, that lasting happiness isn’t really given its due. So, many wander round, looking grim and blue, because my elusive friend happiness, they can’t find you. How do you explain to them, where they should go, to find you happiness, my elusive friend, please do let me know. You can’t be manufactured, or produced by force, so no matter how hard they try, they can’t reach your source. Even a comic, doesn’t know, whether the happiness he evokes, will make the laughter flow. I need to tell you so, that happiness is enigmatic, and you will never know, from where it comes, or where it goes. But as you search, you will find, happiness is linked to all things good and kind. Give thanks for your blessings, no matter how benign. And you’ll see happiness, often give you a sign. Because when you touch someone’s heart, or bring a smile to their face, you take a walk down to a mysterious place. Shrouded in mystery, somewhere deep in your soul, resides happiness , playing a double role. Hiding behind gratitude and deeds good and kind, is where happiness you truly find. Everyday blessings that we simply call, are to what happiness gives its all. So we needn’t search high and low, because my elusive friend happiness, lives within us, you know. Published in Daily Times, August 29th 2018.