people may say that happiness is infectious. 

they aren't wrong 

seeing a smile on someone's face

or hearing the laugh of a friend 

is like a parasite. 

it latches onto your skin 

and it creeps into your bloodstream

and it infects you. 

until suddenly you feel it blossoming 

deep within your very soul

like a water lily.

oh, but sadness? 

sadness is the river flowing beneath the lily pad

sadness is not nearly as infectious 

because it is a drug. 

it does not latch onto you, no

you latch onto it

it's addicting, far more than alcohol 

and far more than any drug 

ever was.

once you get a taste of its refreshing waters

you cannot let go

you cannot stop bathing in it. 

sadness cures the disease that is happiness

it pulls you in and releases you 

into its never-ending pool. 

emotions are water lilies. 

some wither away, little by little

until all that remains is a scent

like the flower.

but others are only born over and over again

others flow deep within you

and find its way to your surface

never-ending

like water.

happiness is the flower

and sadness is the river

keeping it

afloat.