You Believe In Laughter, Do You? Poem by RIC BASTASA

since when have i seen you laughing?
twelve years ago?

really? you don't believe in laughter
anymore. I will take you to places
where laughters are planted
and grown. A stroll at the park

seeds of laughter are sown
by all the children. They run
without direction. Life is a
play, a game. Life is not
a thinking, but a mere

being there. I will take you
to these fancy restaurants.
See the lovey-dovey teeners
over there? They are engaged
in whispers-at-nothing really.
Cheek to cheek. The guy is
handing a spoonful of macaroni
to the girl. And the girl chews.
And the guy takes a glass
of coke, so she does not choke.

Laughters are made here.
And they are everywhere.

Do not follow them home.
You may not find the laughter
anymore in their own
lonely rooms.

Why should our room be
devoid of laughter?
Let me make them
for you. I start with a can.
I will open it. Don't look at me.

Do i look like a guilty
jilted lover?
Now you are laughing.
I told you. It is true.
That affair is over.

We start anew. This
canned laughter. Try it.
For once. Please.