I Had to Laugh

I Had to Laugh
By Rusty LaGrange, High Desert Branch

I had to laugh when I saw you laugh
your laughter invites only more.
So, there we sat, two kids on a mat and
boy, did we laugh some more.

And, now that we stop and dry our eyes
and massage our lips to normal,
I look at you and you look at me—
we straighten up, very formal.

And I look at you and you look at me.
We cough and fidget and wiggle.
I can’t stand it and neither can you—
then we begin to giggle.

And I look at you and you look at me.
We hold our breaths and start counting,
but then our eyes meet and we know it’s
defeat—
we’ve just got to let loose and start laughing..