THE LAST LAUGH

With exemplary humour, he keeps our risorious muscle on the move,

Unwittingly, with our sides splitting, we fall into his zany groove.

Takes a genius acuity to play the part of joker,

As many grey cells juggled, as in a game of poker.

Clairvoyant, a step ahead, chooses jolly mode to be displayed,

Unveiling wisest things by miming, to avoid getting flayed.

Joker comes to rescue when Kings and Queens are done,

Don't discard, he shows ways of world with glasses tinted in fun.

Jostling our mind and funny bone for many to survive,

Always willing to lend a hand for our spirits to revive.

Never underestimate his prowess as- a mere topsy turvy clown,

Doctors say, "laugh with him", to avoid wearing a johnny gown!

Prances, skips, tumbles,  somersaults only to land with a fall,

Springs up within blink of an eye, standing upright tall.

From behind that colourful mask comes wisdom of the age,

Most respected, honoured by kings next to perhaps a sage.

Charlie Chaplin's slapstick, laced with pathos and subtlety ran deeper, 

A joker who gamboled with quick  wit, society's conscience keeper!

Walks away with the last laugh as curtain comes down,

Having fooled those in hubris, the invincible fools in town.

© Gomathi Mohan