the jester

the jester wore a mask
bright reds blues and yellow
to remind those who were sad
of happiness and delight
he never stopped laughing
afraid if he did there would be no jester anymore
the jester and the princess
were as close as could be
she was told every day she was beautiful
he was told he was funny
but behind the mask
his laughter echoed emptily
no one heard the hollow sound
the princess saw his joy
but never the silence
when he wondered if the man beneath the colors
was fading too
one day the laughter paused
even for a breath
he felt the blood drip from his hidden skin
the jester sat in silence
and for the first time
he wondered if happiness
was something he could give
but never keep for himself
and so he laughed again
smiling for everyone else
while inside
he lost himself