Bernadette Hall
In search of happiness
At
first we thought there were two islands
and
we felt we could be happy on one of them.
Perhaps
the little one
which
was no more than a blip on the horizon.
But
Harry said that sadly it was waterlogged and drowning,
the
big river shining like a safety pin.
So
we thought, well, what about the other one
but
Harry said that sadly it had gone up in smoke.
His
brother, he said, had just managed to get everyone out.
And
he’d even managed to get the washing machine
and
the tumbler drier and the hat rack.
Then
Sarah said that the two islands were in fact one.
And
we all felt worried.
What
about the funny little black and white dog?
Where
would she have to run to? And could she swim?