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Home Poetry

‘Laughing’: A Poem by Jeffrey Essmann

November 11, 2026
in Poetry, Humor
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"Self-portrait of Liotard Laughing" by Jean-Etienne Liotard

"Self-portrait of Liotard Laughing" by Jean-Etienne Liotard

 

Laughing

“The One who sits enthroned in heaven is laughing.” – Psalm 2:4

At times the world is far too much with me
_(And I, of course, too much with it).
I wander in a peaceful anarchy—
_The only peace I can acquit.
I fear I don’t repent so much as fret,
__And pray my life might yet
At very least of some amusement be,
_A giggle in Your Perfect Plan;
So once I wake up in eternity
_Before Your Throne to finally stand,
That I might claim, as wheat is freed from chaff,
__At least I made You laugh.

 

 

Jeffrey Essmann is an essayist and poet living in New York. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals, among them Agape Review, America Magazine, Dappled Things, the St. Austin Review, U.S. Catholic, Grand Little Things, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, and various venues of the Benedictine monastery with which he is an oblate. He is editor of the Catholic Poetry Room page on the Integrated Catholic Life website.

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Comments 1

  1. Briana Reavis says:
    1 minute ago

    I often smile when I think about how grand the Lord’s sense of humor must be knowing that the humor we observe and experience here on earth, which is often hilarious, is yet a shadow of what real humor is. Wonderful poem! Thank you!

    Reply

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  1. Briana Reavis on ‘Laughing’: A Poem by Jeffrey EssmannNovember 11, 2026

    I often smile when I think about how grand the Lord’s sense of humor must be knowing that the humor…

  2. Russel Winick on ‘Childproof Caps’ and Other Poems by Russel WinickNovember 11, 2026

    Those are indeed often the goals. Thank you Alec, for your kind words.

  3. Russel Winick on ‘Childproof Caps’ and Other Poems by Russel WinickNovember 11, 2026

    Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Margaret. Yes, the question of “why is it that way” does underlie a fair number…

  4. Alec Ream on ‘Childproof Caps’ and Other Poems by Russel WinickNovember 10, 2026

    Mr Winick: brevity and clarity are non identical twins. Skillful and succinct.

  5. Alec Ream on ‘Ambient Political Precarity’ and Other Poetry by Alec ReamNovember 10, 2026

    CB, I appreciate your commentary, kind analysis and compliment. You're all most welcome.

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