Laugh --- a poem of imitation

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Open Poetry #24

Laugh --- a poem of imitation

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

0 posted 2003-01-18 01:05 PM

This is my attempt to imitate Shel Silverstein's poem: "Sick."

Laugh

I cannot laugh
or crack a smile
I cannot lift
my heart awhile
for my lip is split
I’ve faulty grin
I cannot help
the shape I’m in.
My mussy hair
is sticking out;
my friends all scream
about my pout.
The sky is gray
my voice is thin;
atop my head
my hair grows thin.
Or maybe it
won’t grow at all;
maybe I’m
just way too tall.
Perhaps my skin
is peeking out
above the place
where hair
should sprout.
My feet are sore,
my belly’s fat,
my lap’s a place
built for my cat.
I cannot laugh
nor can I cry,
the tears fly up
from each sad eye.
Oh, no, look now,
there’s big fat crows.
They’re perched beside
each nostril’s nose.
And now,
I can’t believe my eyes;
they lift each corner
of my lips sad sighs.
My friend puts me
beside the mirror
and tells me how
I’m somehow dear.
And now I have
no other choice,
there’s something droll
within my voice.
The three of them,
they tickle me
and fill my heart
with too much glee.
Be still, oh, stop
I’m ‘bout to drop
my tears of laughter
fill up my mop.
The puddles grow,
I cannot halt
looks like my joy’s
full tear’s assault.

©January 18, 2003

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.