Notes About The Poem

Some people like to be the life of the party. Everything is a joke. They laugh at everything and everybody but some people don't think it's so much fun. Especially if they are the butt of the joke. Nobody likes to be laughed at unless they are a stand-up comic. If you want to make a joke don't aim it at anybody. It hurts.

Jokes and Jests

Jokes and jests are like candy,
They come in many flavors.
Some are bitter , some are sweet,
But each is meant to be savored.

Jokes are meant to make us smile,
To take the edge off trials;
But temper them with common sense,
Lest they sound as some revile.

We can joke about our job, our boss,
About our life in general,
But if you're making fun of others,
It can make them feel quite minimal.

Don't laugh at friends or family,
Or anybody else.
Each word, each jibe is like a barb,
And each one harshly felt.

You say it's all in innocent fun,
But you're making them feel small.
They try to hide it and they smile,
But it's not really funny at all.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 3:18 AM
The best jokes I feel are the ones told about oneself and that you yourself can laugh at also. Talking and laughing about others makes the relating the joke small, i.e makes the one saying it small. So well penned my friend, Have been scarce, had to go in for an emergency op and this particular procedure requires a 2nd op after 3-4 weeks. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Ball Avatar
June 28, 2021 at 12:30 PM
Thanks bunches Jennifer. My point exactly. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 10:25 PM
Hello Judy … if you want to get more laughs, tell jokes about yourself. nobody gets hurt then - wise verse indeed Judy - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
June 28, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Thanks bunches Lindsay. You're right there. God Bless, JB
Y. Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Hi Judy, It is nothing funny about making fun of a person's body. It's just mean and cruel. As females we have enough of our own insecurities about our bodies, we don't need to anyone else to add fuel to the fire. I love that saying by Thomas Paine. I remember you quoting him in another one of your writes. Excellent job. Have a great day - Alexis
Ball Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 7:58 PM
Thanks bunches Alexis. God Bless, JB
Legros Kelley Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 2:10 AM
Too true.
Ball Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 5:01 AM
Thank you so much BJ. God Bless, JB
Buhagiar Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 1:44 AM
Sometimes jokes can go too far. We must be prudent. Hugs.
Ball Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM
I agree my friend. Thanks bunches, God Bless, JB
Wolf Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 11:27 PM
There's a fine line not to cross, and well, once crossed, there's no apology that will make up for the hurt... especially today with our thin ultra-thin skins... What can you do? Gotta adjust to the times. No more ethnic jokes, for one...
Wolf Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 8:40 PM
-- And 'his three sons:' Shem, Ham, and Japheth. ~ Fred McMurray
Ball Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 4:59 AM
I agree Gershon. When you make fun of someone's bloodlines you not only insult them but every member of their family. But also for those of us who believe in The Great Flood we know that there was no one left on earth but Noah and his sons and their wives. Soooo looks like WE ALL hail from the house of Noah. Thanks bunches Gershon, God Bless, JB
Rodrigues Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 5:34 PM
We need to take others into consideration. Nicely said.
Ball Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 5:43 PM
Thank you so much Kim. God Bless, JB
Allison Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 5:08 PM
well said Judy I've had jibes aimed at me here over my silly poems its like a body blow and some are still hell bent on punching below the belt but I will never give in:-) hugs Jan xx
Ball Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 10:30 PM
Just had one like that happen to me but I just said I don't have time for stuff like that and I really don't. Can't waste time arguing. Thomas Paine said:"To argue with someone who has renounced all use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." Thanks bunches my friend. God Bless, JB
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