Laugh
I held the notice and tears like a dam
As I tried to understand
Whether they were for real or if this was a scam
Made my way through the door
Then stepped into line
It’s now hour four
This waiting is beating my mind
Finally got to the window with half my day finished
I’m was getting robbed in public and no one’s a witness
Show the teller my notice and asked “What’s the deal? ”
She sends me a smile miles from real
Tells me “Your rates are higher to help off set
A higher cost of living and community projects”
“Well can I talk to someone about getting more cash? ”
She said “You trying to get rich?
Don’t make me laugh”
I left her and went to go see a counselor
His stern tie spoke like a stadium announcer
I explained my dilemma
He stayed as Frost as Emma
An attempt at connection was like a stalagmite
As he joked “I won’t charge you for the free advice”
I told him without more aid my money won’t last
He looked at me smiling and said “Don’t make me laugh”
“You’re a hard working fellow
To show you I care, here's an extra box of jell-o”
I said “But the hunger’s made my immune system depressed”
“Gee, I’m sorry to hear that
Now who’s next? ”
I laid down on the federal building steps
Watching the people watch me and guess
If I was homeless or a crazed drug addict
A scourge on society born to afflict
Their fiber of existence unraveled
As first time felons hear cells slam like gavels
Stood up and heard the whispers walk by
“Oh he looks awful”
“Is he about to die? ”
Raised my coat collar to my ears to avoid the talk
Hands in my pocket searching for change
Not enough for the bus so I’d better walk
My eyes start shooting bullets
And my face is the range
The heart wrenching pain pounds my head down
But my tears were too tired to touch the ground
I’m a room and sadness is my adorer
A little girl and a woman walked past
The girl had a smile similar to a mourner
An old man searched for food in the trash
The girl threw her candy bar carelessly on the corner
“Is that man Oscar the Grouch? ”
The woman giggled and said “Don’t make me laugh”
I continued on my way through the city
Only my loneliness showed me any pity
I asked a store owner for a cup of coffee
I couldn’t pay now but I’d certainly pay her back
She examined me with a sense of being so lofty
“You’ll pay me back? ” she said
“Don’t make me laugh”
Nothing in me, my body starts to ache
I scour the sidewalks for change like a rake
A policeman stops me says he’s Sergeant Jake
“You can’t be on your hands and knees in this place”
I said, “It’s the hunger”
“Sir, I don’t want to go nuts”
Reaches in his car and
Hands me a bag of donuts
I asked kindly for a return ride home
He said “I’ve helped you out
Now leave me alone”
That came out wrong citizen
How can I help you?
And do you pay tax? ”
“By law I don’t have to”
“Well then, don’t make me laugh”
He sped off down the street
But at least I seemed to have more pep in my feet
The clouds still kept the sun from the day
But I felt better as I continued on my way
My tears had dried and my vision was cleared
Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as I feared
With breakfast in my hand I felt some hope
I wouldn’t crumble like cookies and bars of soap
My joy was so much I think I was humming
That’s why I didn’t hear the footsteps coming
From behind me, he must’ve ran
It all happened in such a flash
Good thing I had a donut in my hand
He took off with the rest of bag
'Hahahahaha'
I just stood there and laughed
poem by P.R. Prosper
Added by Poetry Lover
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