let’s laugh together

i
he laughed
raucous
head back, mouth wide open
sound waves of joie de vivre 
bouncing off the walls
like when my kids saw a photo
of the litter of sheepadoodles

and i 
across the room

found i
couldn’t forget myself

tether around my spirit
some reign yes
but not free rein

ii
i come out of agreement
with the lie

that the pit in my stomach 
is a permanent fixture 

that faster fingers clacking keys 
brings me one google doc 
closer to finding 
fulfillment 

that the rocks i pick up
are mine to carry
alone

iii
it’s my one morning a week
six little feet scurrying to school
we start the three-squeeze train
with no intention or forethought
“i love my life”
scrolls across my mind
had to catch it and rewind
what was scarcity – 
“i want to be next to dad!!”
becomes abundance –
as we happily hold hands
rotating right to left
positions change
but squeezes remain

iv
i come into agreement
with the truth
that the tether is severed 
not by the strength
of my fingers pulling apart
but by the submission
of my fingers pointing forward
palms facing heavenward

that the rocks i pick up
form a labyrinth 
circling me inwards 
towards the One 
who carries it all
that losing myself 
comes upon arrival
at the centre
which is 
wherever
i am

v
so, let’s 
laugh together 

*the lines: “i come out of agreement / with the lie” and “i come into agreement / with the truth” are from the song “Protector” written by Jesse Early/Mia Fieldes/Lindsey Sweat and performed by Kim Walker-Smith.

Written by Scott Moore
Illustrated by Landon Wideman

Inspired Aug 2022