Laughter Through Tears

Atropa belladonna

Funny how,

One moment you are smiling.

And the next thing you know

You're contemplating.

Whether to swallow the poison,

And be at peace!

Or to sweat through the anxiety attack bubbling inside.

Throat clogging and eyes burning,

But there comes nothing.

Only the ticking of the clock

And the sound of heavy breath!

The silence is deafening.

But you know,

You will live through this!

For now, smile through the tears

Because that is worth the praises of the earth.

And therefore,

Laughter through tears is

my favorite emotion!

Atropa belladonna commonly known as deadly nightshade. To the Victorians, a gift of belladonna might be interpreted as a warning, a symbol of death, or a meditation on the nature of good and evil.