The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”
When Joy Appears
There are times in life that don’t feel like chapters at all—more like the “season between.”
That’s where many of us in the Palisades find ourselves now. Between the fire and the future. Between the leaving and the coming home. Some are scattered in borrowed places.
Some are back, but nothing feels quite rooted yet.
And still … something is stirring.
The flowers on the Village Green have willed themselves into bloom again, soft but certain. And the geraniums at Veterans Gardens reach toward us like old friends—tugging at our hearts, whispering, you’re almost home.
They may just be blossoms—but in their quiet insistence, they’re signaling something deeper: Joy is near.
Not loudly. Not all at once. But in small, unspoken ways. In hugs that last a little longer. In kindness that asks for nothing back. In the knowing smile of someone who’s walked the same road.
We are learning that, even in these liminal days, joy doesn’t wait.
She tiptoes in—uninvited but deeply welcome. And when we gather—whether in backyards, borrowed living rooms, Duffy boats or with the sound of caring voices across a phone—our town gathers with us.
This poem is for this season. This space between. This quiet blooming of something whole and human and healing.
It’s a love letter to the soft miracle of now.
It’s a love letter to joy—when she appears.
——–
“When Joy Appears”
A love letter to joy
Of all of the riches this world can bestow
The rarest is joy—when she comes, you will know
She doesn’t arrive with a grand marching band
Or wait till all things go “exactly as planned”
She drifts in so softly, a whispering breeze,
Between the to-dos and the bills and the fees
But, oh, when she comes—she sings through your skin
And something long locked starts to open within
But hush now—and listen—for she may be near
No words will be needed…
When joy appears
——–
She tingles like laughter that bursts into flight
A skip in your breath with your heart growing light
She hums in your chest like a long-held embrace
A flutter that settles with delicate grace
She comes even when you are weary or worn
And stitches new beauty in places once torn
And if you just pause and let yourself see—
You’ll find she’s been waiting—to dance with your me
So, back to the wonder—that makes life so dear
The wonder, my friend, is …
When joy appears
Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.
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