Laughter

Hilly village lanes,

Whitewashed sunlit walls.

Cerulean sea.

The laughter of children.

No matter where in the world you go, no matter how many languages are spoken,  and no matter how many times cultures and governments clash, the laughter of  children is universally uplifting.

The mirth of adults can be variously jealous, insecure, sadistic, cruel, or absurd, but the sound of playing children evokes the ideal  of a simple and pure act.

There are no concepts, no ideologies only the innocent  pleasure of life.

We as adults dwell upon our grizzled complexities, our existential anxieties, and  our preoccupations with responsibilities.

We hear the merriment of children and  may sigh over our lost childhoods. Although we can no longer fit into our old  clothes and become young again, we can take comfort in the optimism of children.

Their rejoicing can gladden us all.