Sometimes we laugh to hide our fear,
sometimes we laugh when joy is near,
sometimes we laugh to hide our pain,
sometimes we laugh with tears like rain.
All laughter’s not frivolity,
it doesn’t sanction what we see.
It can be defensive plain and clear;
a way to hide from our own fear.
But the laughter that just ought to be
is that that sets our true hearts free.
So settle back most every day,
let joyous laughter have its way.
Just laugh until your poor sides ache
and streaming tears your eyes do make.
Laugh until your nose does run
because your heart is having fun.
That’s what I hear when children laugh;
a laugh that splits their heart in half
and sends it dancing with itself,
that’s what I call “The Laughter Elf.”