A Fable
            in the manner of Edward Gorey

When he was born, his father called
him the sound of laughter, that he be safe
from sadness.  Numb to joy, his mother could
not pronounce his happy name, was deaf

to his cries.  Of course, the other children
taunted him with laughter’s ugly nick-
names—giggled, snorted, snickered, sneered—
calling him his name behind his back.

The boy never learned to smile,
seldom spoke, avoided the company
of others, dreading the husk-dry lie
of forced mirth.  His father died when he

was twelve.  Happily ever after,
he loved his mother, never left her.