Laughter Quartet

By June Perkins, Out Of School

Laughter is

Memory doors swung open as
siblings linked in memories of mischief
shared, once more, tip toe past their parent’s door to
cartoons calling from their new colour tv; knowing.
Mum and Dad’s weekend sleep in
means they can giggle freely at
Coyote and Road Runner.

Laughter is

Dad cruising into his word play.
Children’s comedic ‘Aww Dad that’s awful.’
Mum with witty zig zag eyebrows,
and inscrutable nose twinkles, winks
‘I like Dad’s funny stories the best.’
Funny bones and a camera click clack
to make the long road trip lighter.

Laughter is

Funny bones click clack
as the Dad, makes Dad jokes
and the children make jokes
about Dad jokes (when he isn’t looking)
and the Mum raises her eyebrows (they are looking)
her pupils lit with inscrutable twinkles
Who will win the vote? Dad or children? (you decide).

Laughter is

An open mouth
giggling out Cairns Birdwing Butterflies
singing leaves become forest
stars
chatting children after cyclones
emerging from cocoons with wings of
light.