Unhappy People

Written by Nermin DONLAGIC

I found myself at the dawn of a new day,
And that might have been enough
To deem myself a happy one.

It appeared that I had a nice night
One in which I had not overslept.
And that might have been enough
To deem myself a happy one.

This morning I went to have a coffee.
I had enough money.
And that might have been enough
To deem myself a happy one.

That indeed would have been enough
To consider myself a happy one.
If I had not been greeted
By the unhappy ones.

(I wrote this poem on July 24, 1995, while I was having my morning coffee at the “Roxy” café in Munich, and I was inspired by Bosnian refugees who were passing along the street.)