Based on a true experience leaving a lasting distaste of April Fool’s Day.
don’t be a fool
and scare your wife to death.
Don’t disguise your voice
and call to tell her
that you, yourself, are dead.
Don’t say you’re very sorry
as she crumbles to the floor,
the phone is dropped,
she starts to scream,
she cannot hear your voice.
When finally she calms a bit,
and lifts the phone once more,
you say, “It’s me. It’s April Fools.”
Nothing but a joke.
The air stands still,
she takes a breath
and bids you a goodbye.
And here, for you,
a gentle truth -
some jokes are not that funny.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Written on 2026-04-01 at 15:33
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Not A Joke
On April’s Fooldon’t be a fool
and scare your wife to death.
Don’t disguise your voice
and call to tell her
that you, yourself, are dead.
Don’t say you’re very sorry
as she crumbles to the floor,
the phone is dropped,
she starts to scream,
she cannot hear your voice.
When finally she calms a bit,
and lifts the phone once more,
you say, “It’s me. It’s April Fools.”
Nothing but a joke.
The air stands still,
she takes a breath
and bids you a goodbye.
And here, for you,
a gentle truth -
some jokes are not that funny.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Written on 2026-04-01 at 15:33
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text| Texts |
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