This poem was written by Bella L. On 6/15/2023 in response to the prompt “Laughter is…”, on Threads App, by SA King. Click here to view his site.

“Laughter is the magic
That keeps me from crying
It soothes every insult
Backlash
And
Burn

It keeps these tears
From taking a turn
Rolling down front street
Tortured
Sad
Sour

Laughter is there
When I could cry for hours
But it absolves and emboldens
This
Little
Heart

Laughter keeps me together
When it could all fall apart
When I very well
Could
Fall
Apart

It was there from the start.”