Holding the Present

Considering happiness
I hold to the present
this moment in time
with nothing to pursue
nor regret

We squander everything
chasing the elusive promise
of happiness
always one success away
in another job, another city
some other life

In its own stealthy way
contentment comes upon us
uninvited, unexpected,
it stirs within us
just when we’ve let go
of those noisy burdens polluting our world

I pray to hold the present
stop to see each hidden contentment
that I already own
never stepping forward to pursue one more
that belongs to someone else