Too often, joy is lacking from our lives . . .

This debut poetry collection takes a slanted view at five aspects of being human: life, love, loss, longing, and laughter. Pain and struggle and suffering is a given in life—for some more than others. Joy is inseparable from sorrow and pain; joy finds its footing in the latter.

Each day, each morning, we have a choice to make: misery or joy. Joy is the better option.

First thing after sunrise,

scoop two bowls of joy—

manna from the desert floor;

one you soak your heart in,

the other pour it out: on friend

and foe and foreigner—

the only, only way

for peace to stay

Two bowls of joy to you!