Do you know what sucks?  

What sucks is spending your whole life
chasing that elusive thing you believe
will make you happy

That relationship
the acceptance letter
that scholarship
the degree
that job
the house
that marriage
the steps on the ladder
and those kids,

All perfectly laid out
right in front of you
each forward move
promising to make you happier than
the place you were previously at

Each new accomplishment
guaranteeing a greater level of joy
than the last thing you did

You pursue,
eyes closed and focused;
mouth open and charging;
eyes straight ahead reaching
for your prey – err your dream

So close!!  
A tweak here,
a change there and you’ll have it
that elusive thing called happiness

Almost catching your dream
spawns new hope,
making you believe
that you’re on the cusp of reaching
all that you’ve worked your whole life for…

And then “IT” happens
you finally catch your dream
you’re standing on the plateau
of your life’s work
all that you have fought against
has been defeated
all that you have fought for
is in your grasp as you stand
basking in the glow of your accomplishment  

The only problem is
you feel empty inside
confused, because you’ve done it all
and still lack that feeling of
Happiness

How could it be?