– Steve Shoemaker, August 27, 2012
Nabokov wrote “The greatest human pleasure is
the memory of anticipation.” Of course
he was Russian, and their own realized pleasures
were few and far between during his lifetime. Whose
hopes, dreams, lusts, desires were met most the last
100 years? Americans with all their wealth
and power? Hardly, their remote Puritan past
is still strong enough to add guilt to pride and faith…
…
I would propose the happiest come from the south:
especially those with native, tribal family.
With expectations low and hospitality
ingrained, sharing becomes the honored way of life.
A person, family, never looks for satiety:
the greatest pleasure is responsibility.
Views from the Edge 
It is a way of life for many poor ( our definition) tribal societies. They knew survival depended on their interdependence. That each was a valued part of their society, with something to offer, could teach us a lesson, if we are willing to open our eyes and ears.
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Yes, yes, and yes, Karin. The debates around us seem to emphasize individual independence, disregarding the interdependence that people who understand human need have always known. The mutual dependence was understood by so-called “tribal” or “primitive” or “aboriginal”) cultures and societies, and it is understood today in pockets in the U.S. where people take care of each other with food, shelter, child-care, etc. Here in Chaska, the people who live on little means seem to be the ones who are the most generous with their resources of time, talent, and treasure.
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What a great concept: that sharing and hospitality, even when you have little, is the secret to our happiness. Very good poem.
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Christina, I’m sure Steve will appreciate your comment. Thanks for coming by.
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