The Serious Mirth Society

first of all, lie down

someplace where one is likely
to find butterflies
(the couch in front of the tv is not one of them)

stretch out in some grass
feel the green, brushy blades tickle your neck
and then—and this is the important part—

wait

let an ant make his journey over your ankle
for all you know, this may be his Mount Everest
let him survey the vastness of creation (as he sees it)
before he wanders on

allow a thin-legged spider to navigate your elbow
on her way towards the trees
feel a fly tickle your palm and lick the sugar off your skin
he means you no harm, he’s just curious
and the mosquito—well, you will have to decide that for yourself

let nature get to know you
lie there with your arms outstretched
offer yourself to everything in it
dirt up to sky, with its cotton tufts of cloud animals
every living thing, feel them move,
the branches and the birds and the breeze ruffling the trees

the leaves are waving, maybe even to you
answer only with the soft breeze of your own breath
and the thrum of your beating heart

then, and only then

maybe

will a fragile body with beautiful wings notice you,
be curious enough to see what kind of flower you are,
and swoop down in spiraling circles
to land on your nose

do not move to hold it

this is the best possible hope you have