laughter is a mask
a clever cover of mind
crack up for a while
then die inside

joke is a button
a turn-off for the brain
it helps you get through
mindless silly game

spit it out, live it off
so as not to fade away
anti-matter of emotion
a force too long kept at bay

you say "stop it, keep in touch!"
do you want me to die?
everyone's got their means of coping
this is mine.