ODDBALLS

when we get together
all we do is laugh
we make weird sounds
and say strange things
that nobody else
would ever understand
let alone
find humor in.

it’s like we are each other’s
one man audience
and one man comedian
at the same time

when his laughter slows
he catches his breath
says, ‘I only act like this when you
are around, but I bet you act like this
when nobody is around, too.’

and laughing still, I say,

‘that’s true, it’s not as much fun
when you’re not here
because when that happens
my audience
for these jokes and shenanigans
is the whole, empty world

and their applause is only silence
and the odd dirty look