COME AND GO THE SAD LAUGHTER

What kind of world is it that a woman births
a son
and then must sit in a high chair in front
of the casket
to greet all his
friends
who number in the hundreds
alternating laughing
crying that laughs
and laughter that cries
with sad glads
and glad/sad remembrances
of hellos goodbyes
swirling around everywhere
the tears, the tears, the tears.
What kind of world is it?
The kind that laughs and cries
in the finality of the comings and goings.