Ageless Laughter (2000-2001) Poem by Lillian B. Rose

The laughter of ages
still rings in my mind
catcalls and taunts
to keep me in line

If they don't mean to hurt
Why cut me down
With every giggle or scream
For things that go beyond my years

Pushed to the edge
Of all my controls
Laughter reminds me
What it's like to go cold

heartless debate
over this one or that
sanity or prejudice
mistakes in the past

Unforgiveness relenting
Rumors flying high
breaking us apart
each time we start to cry