Joy radiates in sounds like choking
Short breaths barked out
Like dogs looking at their own reflection
So this is laughter?
Appreciation of a tale
Told through embarrassment
That I share
A coupled uncomfortableness that brings a smile
So
This
is laughter
The sound a baby makes when happy
Or is that just gas?
Giggles but louder, longer,
Unabashed in glee, unashamed in enjoyment
So?
this is laughter
Cruel in mockery
Pointing poignant in sound
Give me the nails on a chalkboard
Rather than soooo much
This laughter
A dagger through my ego
Maniacal
Unhinged
Evil
Genius
Or just a madman
Why is he so mad
Did they not
get
the
Joke
?
So this is
Laughter
So this is laughter
Just a sound
The intake of air and released again
Vocalized emotion
So this is why I laugh
Because life is funny like that
This is for a dVerse Prompt: “So, let’s dive into your challenge today, which is to use Ted Kooser’s “So This Is Nebraska” poem {above} for inspiration to write your own “So This Is (fill in the blank)” poem. Hope you enjoy!
The Author Stew webpage - Stories & Poems 
This is a unique take on the prompt. I love belly laughter, loud and crackling the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree a good belly laugh does wonders. I’m glad you enjoyed. Thanks for reading! 😁
LikeLike
Your poem ran the full gamut of the landscape of laughter! My favorite kind is the belly kind 😉 It is good to laugh at ourselves sometimes–I like how you included sharing a moment of embarrassment–it can help us get over it and not take ourselves so seriously!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good belly laugh can’t be beat, but it’s gotta be genuine. And I agree being able to laugh at ones self is necessary. You can’t take yourself too seriously or you’ll get seriously over run. 😁 Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
I so enjoyed this! Especially the dog barking at his reflection, lol. You started my morning with a smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it. 😁 heheh
LikeLike
I like the way you laid out this poem, Stew, with little giggles every now and again, and the way you describe different kinds of laughter. These lines made me think of The Joker:
Maniacal
Unhinged
Evil
Genius ‘.
I tend to laugh when I’m embarrassed or scared.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Joker was kind of what I was thinking there or the evil antagonist in cartoons. I think laughing when scared or embarrassed is pretty common. Though I think a full on belly laugh would be less common. lol 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you present all those conflicting parts of what laughter can be… alas it seems that there is always somebody that we set up to be laughed at.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bjorn. It is what laughter is. And even if we do set someone to be laughed at there are enough situations that someone wants to share laughter that it makes it all worthwhile. 😁
LikeLike