I went to see the doctor.
“What are your symptoms, Mr. ... Um?”
“For a while now I’ve found it hard to enjoy myself, to see the funny side of things. Whatever the news, things are always on the sad side. Global and personal.”
The doctor took out his stethoscope and started listening to my inner workings in various places. Finally stopped to follow up with palpitation. Sat there without saying anything for a minute.
“Doctor?”
“Mr. ... Um ... Blumfeld. Your funny bone is broken.”
“And what can be done about that? A cast?”
“Nothing whatsoever. It simply takes a lot of self-healing. And the realization that both sad and humorous things don’t depend on you. It’s all about what you make of them.”
“Thank you, doctor. I could have come to the same conclusion reading Deepak Chopra.”
“That will be 120 euros. The receptionist handles payments.”
– Leonard Blumfeld (© 2026)
Written for the prompt “down to the bone” at Poets and Storytellers United.
Enjoyed
ReplyDelete"The funny bone" .. brings back so many childhood memories for this almost 85 year old woman. We heard about our 'funny bones' often from older aunts, uncles and granparents. Cheers! I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteI cannot stop smiling ... your write has reminded me of the many times my grandmother told me "my funny bone must be broken" all these years later, I know I must have been sad ... she would also ask if I was "down in the dumps" which no doubt I was. Great writing.
ReplyDeletewow.....120 euros....definitely not funny....wherever you are hope they have medicare
ReplyDelete120 euros...wow....not funny...wherever you are hope they have medicare. The doctor doen't need a funny bone, he must be laughing all the way to the bank.
ReplyDeleteWe have medicare in Oz....Rall
ReplyDeleteThink of all the Deepak Chopra books you could have bought with that money! LOL
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the humor and cleverness in this poem!
ReplyDeleteYes, keeping the funny bone in good shape is essential to staying truly alive.
ReplyDelete