Notes About The Poem

For Contest of Same title by Natasha L Scragg

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A Good Sense of Humor Blunts the Sharp Blades of Reality

Harsh is life’s reality.
Each trial we endure is a sword of steel
that pierces the jagged edges
of our imperfect souls.

We cannot escape
the occasional slashes from life’s rapier
that fall upon us when times are hard,
but neither can we get through life
living with sorrow and angst
without a relief valve.

Even in the midst of great tragedies,
humans have found ways
to cope with stress.
I cannot equate my own tragedies
with those endured by prisoners
of concentration camps or anybody else
enslaved by abuse or torture.
For the most of us, however, 
we have the spontaneity of humor
to lessen our heavy loads:
the absurdities coming sometimes
from the mouths of children or the foolish;
the funny little blunders we see
that cause us to laugh out loud;
a beautiful day of sunshine changing
to one of rain, causing us to chuckle 
for trusting the weather channel.
We can do nothing more than laugh
at things like these.
To dwell on small accidents 
or on silly mishaps does nobody any good.

Don’t let life’s rapier 
cut you down with despair.
Stress less; laugh more, and especially
learn to laugh at yourself.
Chortle, chuckle, cackle or guffaw,
and by no means, do not always simply smile.
Find a stand-up comedy and let yourself
fall on the sword of belly laughs,
for a good sense of humor blunts
the sharp blades of reality.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Goldsmith Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Back with Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful write/story again. Have a blessed day/weekend with your win................
Kerr Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I’m back to congratulate you, Andrea, on your achievement in this contest. A work that imparts shrewd judgement, sound advice and balance. Thanks for your email regarding Vocal Piece Majestic. Howard
Dietrich Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Thanks so much, Howard
Guptar Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Congratulations, dear poetess on your top win in this contest with a versatile pen which can carve poems on serious themes like the harsh reality of life with a sense of humour with stunning simplicity. Cheers
Dietrich Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Thanks so much
Canerdy Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM
"life’s rapier"~~the perfect metaphor in a vividly descriptive poem, Andrea. CONGRATS on your win. Janice
Dietrich Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Thanks!
Godwin Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Hey, hey, hey - typing my congratulations to send your way. Love to you, CayCay
Kerr Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Hello Andrea, I admire the sweep, breath and vision of this. Marvellous in every respect. Thanks for your comment on “Misty Recall Howard
Godwin Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Not like you to go this long. I did "Cackles, snickers, chortles and squeals", you wrote, "Chortle, chuckle, cackle or guffaw", whatever that means. You did get serious (as you mentioned on my version), did a great job of serious about humor. Who knows what she's looking for? Soup Mail. Love, CayCay
Mac Donald Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Hey Andrea!, one can become quite adept at fencing against one's foes or imposed realties. The sword could definitely be honed by truth and hopefully an untameable sense of humor.. Still, for many coping with horribly ugly present or past persons or events, laughter might not always reckon with the situations. Time might lessen physical or emotional hurts, but not .erase them. A great thought provoking write. I feel blessed knowing you're here. Thank you!
Dietrich Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I agree certain things can not be overcome even with humor.
Hind Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Cool write, I agree!!
Rodrigues Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Nicely said!
Kendrick Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Yes, laughter is the best medicine most of the time. Seems like I am reading this kind of work in several different poems so it must be a contest. Way to go with this one. Sara k
Goldsmith Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful write/story. We need to laugh/smile more. "Smile" "Good Luck" We both did this one. Have a wonderful/blessed day writing away..................
Narain Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Your poem beautifully illustrates how life’s sharpest trials—likened to rapier slashes—can scar our souls. Yet, humor emerges not as escape, but as a vital relief valve. This is heartfelt and wise work—any reader is likely to feel both understood and uplifted. Beautifully done.
Fleming Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Indeed yes, Andrea. You just cannot beat a good, loud laugh for putting things to rights. Well opined! :) john
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