Making Them Laugh

I hold up a picture of my cat.

This is my dog! I say.

They fall about laughing.

It’s a cat! they all shout.

No it’s not, it’s my doggy! I insist.

They think I’m the funniest person

in the world –

some kind of comic genius.

Next I hold up a mango.

Pineapple! I say.

Mango! they all shout.

Again, they fall over themselves

in fits of giggles.

Strawberry? I ask.

Mango! they repeat.

They find this hilarious.

The funniest thing ever.

After the show, backstage,

she asks if I’m OK.

I’m great! I say.

Doing really well!

But there’s no one there

to laugh at the joke.

Joshua Seigal