The full cup, shaken

in the throes of joy, spills sweet water

and fills the half-empty cups

around it.

Know this:

joy did not come

because the cup was full.

Joy flows from a different source.

Even half-empty cups overflow

when shaken by laughter.

Like an avalanche, a tidal wave,

an earthquake, a hurricane,

no, even stronger than these

is happiness;

yet it is capable of such tenderness.

Do not keep the sweet water

for yourself —

cups are temporary vessels

and what flows out

flows back in.

Allow yourself to be shaken

and know that all gifts

are unending and infinite.