Improv is an unscripted comedy form.
Starting with an idea for a sketch,
actors interact with each other,
making up things as they go.
As one person responds to another,
“No, but…” squashes spontaneity,
while “Yes, and…” builds the banter,
propelling witty action forward.
Quick and clever dialogue
promises even more to come.
Then, after finding an apt ending,
a brand-new sketch can begin.
Our lives are also unscripted.
Improvising our existence,
we react to evolving situations
with “Yes, and” for guidance.
Whenever feasible and appropriate,
say “Yes, and” to others and to life,
for enhancing enjoyment
while building community.
And even in our final moments,
we can still say “Yes, and” to death
since there is much more to come
when the new sketch begins.
(First published in Spirit Whispers: Eclectic Writings on Spirituality on Substack, 17 May 2025.)
(Image by Monica Silvestre on Pexels.com.)
he covers up the pain of his upbringing with comedy
making people laugh gives him purpose
the louder they laugh, the more he performs
He is a monster, an alien, a dog and pony show
He is a trickster, a jokester, a jester,
But wait…..
There is a side the people never see
Because he is a trickster
his feelings are his own
he keeps them hidden in the sleeves of his costume
never bringing them out
hiding them behind a super wide smirky smile
a clown….
No matter how dim things get
no matter how dire
how alone, or lonely or depressed he feels
he covers this up with cloaks and daggers
Pulling rabbits out of top hats
stunning the audience with sheer outrageousness
Keeping them laughing
so, he can cry
in silence…..
They say the willow weeps for me
They play the willow song
What if the willow laughs and we
Perceive its rustle wrong
The willow dies of laughter though
We still believe it weeps
I’ve seen two seagulls flying low
Beneath the willow’s sleeves
One of the seagulls turned its head
Another seagull grinned
The leaves were falling on my bed
Spinning in the wind.
She dropped a white Corelle ware dish
tiny slivers and bits flew all over the kitchen
her husband did not make one sound
He understood to keep mum
She gave her old man a sharp look
Was he going to say something?
He had warned her not to put that dish on top of the refrigerator.
Was he going to say “I told you so?”
He did not even glance in her direction.
She wondered about it.
It was bizarre behavior.
Most people looked at a crash.
An hour later she caught him on the phone laughing.
Was it about her?
This was the olden days when phones had cords.
She sneaked up behind him, angry now.
He never laughed again.
Roadwork noises by my window
Fertilize with stones my thoughts
I got used to live in limbo
In the realm of bookish gods
So I’m punished with the sounds
And delighted when it’s quiet
They are setting the new grounds
About which I’m unreliant
And I dash into the river
Of the constant change but no
It’s the same, cause I’m forgiven
Playing games we used to know
You are laughing at my knowledge
We are sharing loving fun
And behind your back the foliage
Casts a shade across the sun
The summer breeze lapped at my hair
Firmly yet gently lifting each strand
The warm caress of the sun
Brought happiness to my weeping skin
My lips parted as laughter
Freely trickled down my chin
My eyes lit a beaming path for my feet
As I began my evening walk
Abruptly I tripped and fell
Soberly I looked around
For the object of my humility
And found myself gazing into my own eyes
I had tripped and fallen over myself
Fighting to regain a composure
That proved to be elusive
I stood and faced myself
As I continued my evening walk
After a bubble bath last night
I left the water running
‘O, Soapy Mio!’
Heaven help me
pay for the plumbing
The moon unquestioned
has no answers
Between light’s reflection
the coming dawn
One promise chosen
to fill the darkness
One promise chosen
to calm the storm
As planets rally
the moon abandoned
The time for reason
has come and gone
They spin their orbits
and claim reentry
New eyes upon them
new axis spawned
Rotating freely
in pinball madness
Colliding passions
of night’s retreat
A new moon laughing
the death of order
A new moon waiting
— as shadows sleep
(Dreamsleep: March, 2025)
The Spirit-Life is a calm, trusting in Jesus
Not one thought of negativity in us
Pouring forth a Love-Power and blessing,
Not allowing any Selfishness, messing!
I didn't really laugh
I could have, though.
At who?
At myself?
At her?
At the irony of it all?
She always left an imprint on me.
Always gave me a new way of thinking
And left afterward.
I didn't even think about it
Until I looked for a song
I saw her play
On a game
Ironic, I guess
She gave me this good song, not even on purpose
Then told me I was a terrible person in the meanest way
She didn't realize the gift she'd given me
Was it much of a gift anyway?
Maybe not
I do appreciate it
It isn't even really all that funny.
But I laugh at unhumorous things often
So it's okay
I'll be okay
Don't worry
(Am I telling you that or myself?)
I don't need to bother with her anymore
But I'll keep the song.
Kamala Harris, with laughter bright
Echoes through the house of white
Yet critics murmur, where's the deed
In jest, they claim, she plants no seed
A hysterical hyena's chuckle fills the air
While dreams of action dwindle bare
© daniel miltz
You are the only one who is laughing.
You are trying to put me in the Position, the same as 3months..or was it *yesterday* ago? But today it happend too.
Today ago?
Where I fell red and felt bad.
You were still able to do that, I stumbled at the desk.
Still I chose to walk, to give and present.
Even If I might get away with nothing or all.
It's something I dream to do anyways.
Where is your following act?
No one is laughing along you know.
"Do you have a need for attention?", I was about to ask, but just if the human mind knew, how he can worsen your days more by you adding fire in the oil he created.
I did not turn around nor did I pass the Ball back to you even though you did so.
I mean you probably forgot about it anyways that you did.
Why are you laughing at me can you tell me why
Why are you laughing at me do you want to see me cry.
Why are you laughing at me and talking behind my back
Why are you laughing at me is it because of courage that I lack.
Why are you laughing at me to make fun out of pity
Why are you laughing at me is it because I’m not pretty
Why are you laughing is it me your laughing at
Why are you laughing at me is it because I’m fat.
Why are you laughing at me do you like to see me cry
Please stop laughing at me you make me want to die.
Tom is happy to see
The hog of a dog napping
The sign says beware
Feline’s do not care
Throwing rocks at that dog laughing
He who laughs at others misfortune
Must really be crying inside
And he who selflessly helps others
Must have a heart that's ten feet wide
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