the laughing, joking life
that is routine and scheduled
the monkey swinging in the tree
the leopard racing ‘round the block
the kangaroo hopping across the street
the jealous child saying "Look at me"

feelings eat away the joking ways
and I am the empty pot hole that is ten feet deep
the wind shivering with fear after the coyote’s howl
the body trembling at the thought of change, of nourishment
can love be allowed, be deserved to me?
the picture on the wall with a blank face, watching from a distance
the hopeless figure limping along the tracks
the lost puppy whimpering at an unknown door

jokes and feelings expose the truth, in different ways
but all from the same person