Lost Laughter

He looks ... Once more The wide, weathered barn door Tilts … To the wind Its hinges broken … Rusted It will never close again Doesn’t matter A small, solitary swallow Flees from the shadows within Vanishes into a chaste sun He wonders … To where will he fly? A radiant white dove Descends Upon the shimmering tin roof It struts (in righteous pride) It coos (in blessed compassion) And It defecates The field beyond this building is … just a field Is there more than clouds above? He hears the wife call to him … Gentle … Soothing His impotent body moves … Retreating The ache in his throat … Tormenting This time he’ll tell her that he didn’t … Hear the child’s laughter