Pursuit

Happiness is not a thing
That can be guaranteed.
Satisfaction is, we’re told,
In words we hear or read.

But in that famous document
Declaring we were free,
Pursuit of happiness was writ,
With life and liberty.

Yet finding what we want
Has no relation to pursuing,
For joy’s elusive and the search
Might lead to our ungluing.

The signers of the Declaration
Surely were astute
When they didn’t grant us happiness,
But only its pursuit.