Laughter

In the beginning was laughter,
the Lord’s, and in the end…

We could claim we began with
laughter, but that would be a lie.

Our kind can only start with sorrow.
Laughter is as varied as the weather

and as predictable: patter of fingers
on a baby’s belly, beam of TV

on the faces of late night lovers,
warming drinks held by the lonely

and willing. Laughter can be carefree
or nervous, or dangerous at times.

Laughter is contagious and
laughter is the best medicine.

Laughter is the sound we make to
drown out the heart’s monotones.

Let us all laugh, then, all the way
to the bank and beyond, to that place

without laughter. The world has never
laughed with me enough, or maybe it has --

silently, all along. Laughter, to you I offer
this humble tummy. Laughter, have mercy.