Laughter

Have you listened ... I mean really listened ... to children laughing?

They are so completely given over to it. They can't help themselves.

Things are not just a little funny, eliciting a polite chuckle. They are really, really funny. There's a sudden explosion of laughter, and when they try to control it ... the more they try ... the more it comes bubbling out.

Even the most confirmed grump is likely to find a certain contagion in the children's laughter, may find himself beginning to smile, inwardly, at least, may find himself joining in ... remembering a time when things were just so unbearably funny.

Originally published in Capper's:

LAUGHTER

What luxury

the laughter

of children,

the champagne

of sounds

unexpectedly

uncorked,

cascading,

filling

the glasses

of those nearby,

tickling

their noses.

© 1996

***

Today's word: contagion

Afterthoughts ... in response to your comments:

Sorry you had problems with the site, Helen ... but glad you persisted and posted a comment. Those little nudges in the small of my back help to keep me going. Sometimes I think the problems are just momentary glitches ... gremlins at work ... actually, my technical knowledge is so limited that I live pretty much in a world of "It works" ... "it doesn't" ... and I'm so thankful when "It works" is in play.

Another mystery, Featheredpines ... at least to me ... sometimes things work, sometimes they don't, and I'm always mystified as to how they "fixed" themselves ... an explanation from somebody would help us understand, I think ... but I'm glad you persisted. It's always good to hear a familiar voice.