Your Laughs The Laugh I Long to Hear

A Poem for my niece

I don’t remember when they brought you home

Though I was told how much you glowed

You see, your Uncle is a salesman, dear

I sell my stories on the road

From town to town I tell my tales

and the people, oh they laugh

but not the way that you do dear

When we play with stuffed Giraffes

Your laugh is the laugh I long to hear

when I’m haggard, tired, and frail

When I’m clicking through the same ole News

In The Hilton County Jail

When I’m gnawing on them rubber eggs

In the lobby all alone

I long for your mom to wake you up

So I can call you on the phone

You never fail to cheer me up

You always make my day

You smile and laugh and touch my face

From a million miles away

But today dear, I’m not on a plane

I’m not on stage playing Word-Houdini

Because today it is your birthday

and that means we eat Fettuccini

Happy Birthday, Laura James

Love - Your Favorite Uncle (We don’t have to tell William you feel that way:)