I watch sitcom reruns
even past the point
where they're funny
I've memorized the set-ups
the pauses
the punchlines
even the music of
the canned laughter
I figure its because
they take me back to my
completely not responsible
childhood
I wasn't burning in the streets
collecting memories to write about
mostly I watched
and the sounds imprinted themselves
they were comforting
and they still are
when I hear the voices of Fred Sanford, Archie Bunker,
and Green Acres I am
immediately taken back to my
parents' house
warm, safe and brimming
with cooking foods and my
parents were somewhere in the house
doing all the worrying
for me
So I liked the sitcoms
still do
but
maybe I learned too much:
I learned that I should try and be
funny all the time every few seconds
and I look
unrealistically for quick resolutions
as if most problems could be solved
in 28 minutes
I don't take things too seriously
but if the situation arises
and I must become an adult
I don't panic
I just become Alan Alda in M*A*S*H
and suddenly, I'm an adult
and everyone believes me.