The Giggles

Our giggles are infectious.
They start off in our heads.
At first they're only rumours.
Then the rumours spread.

(Giggling is contagious.
It soon catches on.
But if you do it in the classroom
you find you're in the wrong).

When asked about The Giggles
we won't know what to say
but we'll get into trouble
if they don't go away.

'Do tell me what's so funny,'
Miss Simpson will demand
but if we say, 'Nothing, Miss'
she won't understand.

She'll think we've got a secret
and I suppose we have
but we're completely baffled!
What was it made us laugh?

We need to find a reason.
She'll expect us to explain.
I just hope our explanation
doesn't set us off again.

Our giggles are infectious.
They start off in our heads.
At first they're only rumours.
Then the rumours spread.


(Note: Giggling is infectious.
Hard to resist. A tip:
it can be stifled
by biting your lower lip).



Poem copyright Bernard Young 2004
Illustration copyright Jessie Gillick 2004
From Wanted Alive by Bernard Young, Hands up Books, 2004