(I’ve been very fortunate to have had people in my life
with whom I’ve experienced the healing power of laughter
in some of the roughest of times. This poem is dedicated
to Nick and Daniel. Thanks guys.)
They parted that Tuesday at one,
each going his separate way,
each buzzing with a keen energy
that seemed to turn up the volume
of life maybe a notch or two: sights
and sounds pinging nerve endings
with a little more intensity,
neighborhood aromas registering
more noticeably like some kind
of fragrant alchemical mist.
One day lingering over a second beer,
dishes having been cleared, they wondered
together what kept them coming back
to this monthly lunch after twenty-some years.
Well-educated, serious seekers
of truth, they first postulated
some existential gobbledygook
that sounded profound but held
no satisfaction or resonance.
Finally they settled into an easy groove, smiling
ever more broadly at their recognized pretensions
until a spontaneous explosion of laughter
nearly upended their table onto the floor.
Suddenly, they remembered as one
that no matter how stirring or draining
the tale of weal or woe they weaved,
inevitably, at some point, they would
find themselves falling into a pool of irony,
doused by a spray of humorous leveling
and farcical turn.
And it was this, this salting
of stern and smoky clouds with laughter,
they finally decided, which continued
to lure them and confirm them
with the resolve and dignity
needed to step back again
into the sometimes torturous maze
that is the inscrutable, cockeyed
drama of life.
And so, as they exited into bright sunshine
they once again pronounced their version
of amen—a simple see you next time.
© 2015 Dennis Ference
Beautiful. Made me tear up.
>
And laugh, I hope.
Such a lovely tribute to one of our great abilities, the ability and the willingness to laugh.
Fine indeed, Dennis.
Peace and Love
john
Thanks, John. Peace, love, and laughter! ~Dennis
Sounds like great friends!
They are great friends, and in addition, one’s my brother and one’s my son.
You captured the essence of this beautiful friendship… 🙂 You are indeed blessed.
Thank you, Florence. Yes, indeed, I feel very blessed. Peace! ~Dennis
I love this. Even more since I read in your reply to another comment that the men are your brother and your son who meet with you to talk about things that Matter. i love their
I hit the post comment button by mistake.This is a continuation of the above post. i love the simplicity of “see you next time” as an amen. Altogether a beautifully written piece.
Thank you. With age has come a conviction that many of the things we sometimes search so desperately for are best found in simplicity.
Deep and funny moments shared with a dear friend–how lovely!
😊
I can hear this poem. Such beautiful language and moments you’ve chosen.
Thank you, Jennifer. The poem represents such a wonderful gift in my life. Glad to know it touched someone else. Peace, love, and joy! ~Dennis
What a great family to live in. Once visiting family we decided to try out laugh yoga. What fun. (I have a post on it called Made Me Laugh https://intentionalinterplay.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/made-me-laugh/ if you’re interested.) Yes, we do seem to come back to gathering with those we can laugh with. Great poem, Dennis. You are moving in new directions lately that are very enjoyable.
Thanks for commenting and thanks for sharing the post. I will take a look later today.
Thanks for the reply and the sharing of your post. Just to a look at it. Special gift, that hilarity ride! Peace, joy, love, and laughter!