Happy Are They

Happy are they
Who forge friendships early,
Who stake out their futures
Before their senescence.

Happy are they
Who know how to smile,
Whose worthier deeds
Scatter charity widely.

Happy are they
Who comfort and nurture
Disconsolate others
And accept care in turn.

Happy are they
On the middle path
With its slow upward slope,
Free of rubble and burs.

Happy are they
With keen-eared disciples
To hear their effusions,
To crown them with thorns.