Amid the stately arches of a centuries-old New England campus, a quietly unassuming but brilliant poetry professor delivers the most important lecture of his life. Diagnosed with a terminal illness and determined to leave something lasting behind, he reveals long-guarded secrets gleaned from an extraordinary upbringing among rare books and eccentric mentors in Hay-on-Wye, Wales.

From ancient manuscripts to hidden scribbles, his words come alive in stories of resilience and love, hope and loss, culminating in a simple yet profound “Happiness Formula.” Guided by three transformative attitudes—Passion, Tempo, and Awareness—and built upon the pillars of Love, Balance, and Values, his teachings illuminate a path toward genuine, enduring joy.

In this poignant fictional account, his son—author Erasmus Cromwell-Smith II—pieces together the professor’s final poetry class of 2017, weaving in firsthand testimonies from entranced students and precious archives rescued from near destruction. Their vivid recollections form a testament to life’s fragile beauty and the power of a well-lived day.

Enter The Happiness Triangle, the first volume of The Equilibrist Series: a heartfelt tale of a teacher racing against time to bestow a timeless gift. Rich with poetry, philosophical insight, and a dash of romance, this novel reminds us that real magic resides not in lofty ambitions or chance events, but in the everyday moments where we dare to live fully, love boundlessly—and discover happiness for ourselves.