My Mother Said Poem by RIC BASTASA

one day
as i almost
died laughing my

mother said
not to laugh
out loud because

the volume
of my laughter
shall be
the same
volume
of sadness
and tears
that follows
after


take moderation
she said
do not howl
or wail

do not have
a brouhaha

take the
little giggle
and the smile
take
the little pinch
of pain

in happiness
and sadness
let there
be caution

like day
and night
not so glaring
not so gloomy

live in twilight
stay in dusk