Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Special Feature Collaborative Poem--By Lainey--Canada and Michael Todd--United States

Smile Catcher

By Lainey & Michael Todd

Comic relief class clown, what I aspire to be.
No pratfall too hard to take, stumble the aisle.
Take it to the limit? No limitations for me.
My chief purpose, that I might bring you a smile.

It's a challenge of sorts, at my risk and expense.
To find that funny bone, you must tickle and tease.
I will flop, jump and fall, to build sheer suspense,
Just securing your laugh, requires true expertise.

Some are receptive, even take me for granted at times.
While others pose a challenge, I can walk the extra mile.
Should I tell a funny story, anecdotes, perhaps rhymes?
Whatever it takes, I'm up to task, quite versatile.

The formula for making funny, is not easy, I admit.
If you overcook it, no laughs rise, you will just fall.
For comedy I stand up. If that's not funny, I just sit.
And when I'm sad, my humor is a mask that hides it all.

The reason for this road map? Simply a reminder to self,
As opposed to being a "how to do it" for the rank and file.
While I can't always be funny, I do my best to be top shelf.
Not in the mood today? Okay. Tomorrow, I'm still on the dial.

While I don't have great wealth, I want so much to amuse.
A gift of laughter makes me feel much more worthwhile.
At the end of the day, I proudly ponder on each bruise...
Especially ones gotten, as I tripped over a smile.
Posted by at

32 comments:

  1. Elizabeth KralMarch 25, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    I identify with the clowning. The greatest rewards are the big smiles and hearty laughs. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 2:00 PM

      Thank you for you generous overview, Elizabeth. Your words ring genuine.
      Thank you for visiting.

      And, of course... Nice FRISTING !!!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 2:22 PM

      Lainey and Todd,
      A great, uplifting poem. Welcome to Whispers, Lainey! I hope you will continue to post.
      Your new friend,
      David Fox

      Delete
    3. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 2:55 PM

      Thanks so much for spending time with us, David. It is greatly appreciated, Sir.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 25, 2015 at 2:37 PM

    To me, laughter has it. The strongest relationships come out of it. Loved to see this duet These two flow in all the right directions.

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    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 2:54 PM

      Alba Leigh... We are all about relationships. And, Moon Sisters. <3

      Delete
  3. Colleen Keller BreuningMarch 25, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    Smiles and laughter.... the cement that holds relationships and friendships together! This gave me a huge smile. Mission accomplished, my friends! Much love to both you & Lainey! HUGS

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    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 3:12 PM

      I love that you touch on bonding and friendships, Colleen. Without those intact, there would be no me, or us... I get emotional just thinking about it. Typing is one thing, but if I had to speak right now, it would be difficult to do.

      Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

      Delete
  4. Joan MackMarch 25, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    It is good to laugh at situations and make fine jokes. Blessed are those who make me smile for I will smile right back at them and give them all my best wishes

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    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 3:37 PM

      When it becomes time to return in kind, Joan, it is always best when what we are returning is kindness and good humor. I love, love, love your analogy.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    Hey, guys, this is very cool and yes, there is difficulty at times "making funny" as you write, but peoples' funny bone is sometimes not there, as per se........... your poem is so real and honest, yet, humble and speaks volumes! I love humor, laughing is a great release! Sheri

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    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 3:42 PM

      Sheri... getting to write this with Lainey, was as fine an opportunity as I have ever had in my time writing. We really had a great time, going back and forth, and her closing stanza is as good as it gets, for me.

      Thanks so much for visiting.

      Delete
    2. Dahlia RamoneMarch 25, 2015 at 6:33 PM

      I don't think there is any greater gift than the ability to make someone smile. And that smile in return becomes the gift. A smile from someone special has the ability to stop the world. You two had me at the title, and I love this <3

      Delete
    3. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 7:01 PM

      Thanks, Dahlia... Our title was a spin on something called a dream catcher. Your thoughts expressed here are quite endearing, as are you.

      Delete
  6. CharleneMarch 25, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    Lainey and Michael, what a well written collaboration. An excellent description of what Stand Up Comedians face. It really is fun when the punch lines get a good laugh and quite disheartening with they don't. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents.
    Charlene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 7:29 PM

      Thanks, Charlene... Regardless of eventual results, we still feel the need to put our selves out there, sometimes.

      Very happy this resonates with you.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMarch 25, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    With words, wisdom and wit ; you two have shown us the joys of friendship through laughter and perseverance
    Stormy Dormire

    ReplyDelete
  8. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    We have had more than our fair share of both, Stormy Gail. But, when we wrote this, we were so innocent.

    Thanks so much for coming over tonight. I was hoping to see you here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen O'LearyMarch 25, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    What a wonderful response to this poem. Congratulations Michal and Lainey! Welcome to our online journal Lainey! This is a wonderful poem, creative and thought-provoking all in one. Hope to read more of your work in the future. You write well together.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 25, 2015 at 10:16 PM

      I am happy you are pleased with the response and you like the poem, Karen.
      I look forward to when Lainey gets back into the swing of writing and posting on a regular schedule. She is a gifted poet.

      Delete
    2. Eliza Anne JonesMarch 26, 2015 at 2:11 AM

      Michael and Lainey, this is a remarkable and touching collaborative piece. Some of the world's funniest people are also the saddest. Here, I could feel that and quite keenly. It hurts so much when one "trips over a smile."

      Delete
    3. Michael ToddMarch 26, 2015 at 6:34 AM

      Hello, Eliza Anne... Your analogy rings true, here. We never know. They hide it so well.

      Thanks for coming over. :)

      Delete
    4. UnknownMarch 27, 2015 at 8:39 AM

      Thanks for sharing your collaborative poem Lainey & Michael. To be able to make people laugh & to enjoy a good laugh is paramount in today's society. To be able to share a smile with a friend is a strong bonding agent. Like the bible said, "laughter is good medicine". The world is lacking it big time! Best Wishes, Chris~

      Delete
    5. Michael ToddMarch 27, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      Chris... You view point is so uplifting. Your view point is just what we were trying to convey.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  10. AnonymousMarch 27, 2015 at 12:24 PM

    well done!

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  11. Sara KendrickMarch 27, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    Congrats on your collaborative featured poem..Sara

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  12. NissmechMarch 29, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    I am always so late for these! So sorry! I do love me a Lainey/Myke duet and this one gave me smiles in remembering the friendship that you two share so wonderfully

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    1. Michael ToddMarch 29, 2015 at 9:35 PM

      Thanks, Dave... We had the best time writing this, and have enjoyed the positive response here this past week.

      Good times, good times.

      Delete
  13. Divinia Nightfire ©March 30, 2015 at 10:09 PM

    Oh Myke... Im so glad I found this piece by you and Lainey. Definitely brought a smile to my face. Awesome. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael ToddMarch 31, 2015 at 3:58 PM

      Thanks, Divinia. You know our motto:
      If you're happy, we're happy. :)

      Delete

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