Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Mary Jean Chan

Happiness

Happiness

Happiness

All the ingredients necessary for happiness:
I grew up well-fed, years away from
war, its aftermath.
When someone in the family knows
sacrifice as the only viable currency,
such knowledge seeps.
History must suffice.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
a miracle, cannot yield more loaves.
I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.

I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.
A miracle cannot yield more loaves.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
history, must suffice.
Such knowledge seeps:
sacrifice as the only viable currency
when someone in the family knows
war, its aftermath.
I grew up well-fed, years away from
all the ingredients necessary for happiness.
Close

Happiness

All the ingredients necessary for happiness:
I grew up well-fed, years away from
war, its aftermath.
When someone in the family knows
sacrifice as the only viable currency,
such knowledge seeps.
History must suffice.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
a miracle, cannot yield more loaves.
I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.

I will give myself the mango’s stone; the meat to someone else.
A miracle cannot yield more loaves.
My mother knew hunger. A piece of bread, in the absence of
history, must suffice.
Such knowledge seeps:
sacrifice as the only viable currency
when someone in the family knows
war, its aftermath.
I grew up well-fed, years away from
all the ingredients necessary for happiness.

Happiness

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère