When Dad Jokes

When his dad tells the same joke

for the hundredth time,

he groans, wishing he wouldn’t. 

So embarrassing, heard them all before

and not funny the first time.

When he brings his new girlfriend home

his dad reels off his naff jokes 

Revelling in the new audience

He apologises to his girl

I think he’s funny, she says.

His dad jokes about the hospital and doctors

You have to laugh, don’t you?

He calls it gallows humour

but for his son it’s another bad dad-joke

and in awfully bad taste.

After the funeral service

he raises a glass of whiskey

realising that he would give anything

to hear one of his dad’s jokes one more time.

And I’ll laugh this time, he says, I promise.

By Chris Platt

From: United Kingdom