In 1957, a respected BBC news program
aired footage of Swiss peasants harvesting spaghetti
from trees. No, not the squash– the noodle.
The BBC phone lines were burdened with calls,
viewers from all over wanted to know how
to get hands on their own spaghetti tree.
A successful April Fool’s joke.
A nation laughed at its gullibility.

Not too many years ago, a coworker’s whole office
was foiled. As in everything from his desk,
computer, pictures on the wall, his globe,
down to individual pens were wrapped
in aluminum foil like Sunday’s leftovers.
Cleanup was tedious
but he laughed the whole time.
This is April Fool’s, after all.

A good friend once–and only once–
printed up very believable medical lab reports.
He led his girlfriend to believe he was dying of cancer.
When she burst into tears, he burst into laughter.
She didn’t stay mad for long,
can now laugh at such a convincing prank.
It’s April Fool’s, after all.

I told you I still love you.
You laughed and I followed your lead.
My love is such a funny punchline
but this is not the joke we wish it was.
The most random of memories of you
on the most random of days can still make me cry.
I am still in love with you.
I am just a fool in April.
The only joke here.