I hear a joke on Sunday,
and I fall over howling at the moon.
That joke is from outer space
takes me to another place
where smiles are mouths and laughter is breathing.
I can’t just leave such a place.
I roam the streets and walk its boarder for a while.
and even when I do leave,
I keep it with me
in my mind’s back pocket.

Monday mornings are so boring,
you have no clue.
I sit down,
look around,
and wonder what to do.
So I pull out Sunday’s joke
And laugh to myself.
Then share it with someone else.
Except they don’t see the place
in outer space
nearly
as clearly
As I had.
I shrug slightly
Then place it in the jacket pocket of my memory.

Tuesday I was feelin’ good
amazing, as matter-of-fact.
Until I sat down,
looked around,
and couldn’t find my jacket.
Seriously?!
In a snap I’m peeved.
Though I found it the next hour,
those irritated thoughts in me
didn’t lose their power.

Wednesday it was sunny
So I wore a short sleeve shirt.
Then out the mouth of Satan
Came planting dirt.
Over negative seeds planted in my mind
(of which before
I chose to ignore)
“Your arms are fat.”
“Your poems are wack.”
“You are as ugly as a bat.”
Those seeds grow into tomato plants.

Thursday I ate the fruit,
And felt nauseous.
Wanted to be alone so I could cry
without being on somebody’s conscience.

Friday I spat it out.
Got a grip on some grapes of self-respect.
Got a nice new shirt that says “pride”
and tried it on for size.
Doesn’t fit quite right
but I’ll grow into it.
Maybe not today,
but hey,
that’s okay.
What we live,
our life,
is 50% growing from strife,
50% faith,
And 210% love.
I’ll put that in the front pocket of my soul.
That way I can always find it
when I lose control
of my roller coaster of emotions.
‘Cause I know I will.

Saturday while getting dressed for a cooler day,
I found the joke in my jacket pocket.
Along with crumpled tissues
and bubble gum wrappers.
I chuckle, then put it on the shelf of my recollection.
It sits with the other things that take me to the
outer space place.
Because I know
I will lose control
And that’s when I’ll need
My mouth to be the biggest beam of a smile
And my breathing the longest howl of laughter