Is a sense of humor catching
or just comes with the genes?
When did you start laughing,
and did you ever stop?
Do you ever laugh out loud reading
or when you’ve made a blooming mess?
In seccret do you find dark humor funny
or leave a meeting due to giggles?
Have you felt the laughter healing,
reassured in the belly that you’re
onto a good thing: you!

Do blacks laugh more than whites?
Seems they maybe do–black women,
solid underneath. I remember Georgia,
black sitter for us kids, who laughed at
Arthur Godfrey and all the little Godfreys,
Warm and cheery, she laughed until
her husband died and left us because
she cold not repay my father’s loan.
I hope she’s out there somewhere a laughing
up a storm with humor deeper than tears.

If humor’s a defense, Hail Mary!
All my bases are covered.