Fred Aiken Writing

Tag: joke

it’s just a joke

a coworker told a joke today,
but when i didn't laugh
they told me to get a sense of humor,
to which i thought i had,
though admittedly i didn't know, for sure that is,
so i decided to make a conscientious effort to get a sense of humor
and laugh
and laugh
and laugh,
perhaps too much,
because now some other coworkers are complaining to hr,
and they're having a meeting about me on Monday

not very funny

i once wrote a joke,
but i didn’t understand the punchline
so i suppose it wasn’t really a joke,
at least not anymore

Jokes on You; But Not Really

awkward laughter fills the acne-scarred air,
jokes told with insouciance,
the mood shifts, hearts aflutter,
the moment strained

eyes dart around, trying to read,
a discomfort of awkward deed,
a hush descends,
the silence clear,
and what’s left is laughter escaping once again