It Happens

It happened when I was walking home at night up streets growing familiar.
It happened again when the checkout lady began to speak English to me.
It happens when I hear “TEACHER!!” and I turn to see the smiling face of one of ‘mine.’
And when we talked with a bartender with obscure musical taste.
And when I got free juice at the corner store.
And when I ride my bike to work everyday in the cool morning air.


It’s an oddly compelling and satisfying kind of joy, the likes of which I’ve never witnessed before.