I have spent the past fifteen months writing mostly poetry, much of which has centered around being the mother of a three-time childhood cancer surviver. In fact, I have three chapbooks forthcoming in 2022, all with the theme of my experiences, and how my family and I were able to find hope during those years of trauma. Needless to say, I am now craving humor, laughter and lightness in my life. I recently read a writing prompt about your “Three Rules of Writing Poetry,” and tossed my first, rather pretentious draft in the trash, and began to write in an even more pretentious voice, but with exaggerated brutal honesty. This is what I am submitting to to today. I love the comedy of Stephen Colbert and Steve Martin, especially when their comedy is presented from a serious, and authoritative voice. Not to mention, they are both wickedly smart and multi-talented! (I’ve been lucky enough to see them both live- Colbert when he was doing The Colbert Report, which I still believe to be one of the most brilliant comedy shows ever written. My son and I watched it every night when he was in treatment, and he now has a degree in political science!) Also, reading David Sedaris makes me laugh outloud, sometimes until I cry, which I love to do. I’ve had two pieces published in The Daily Drunk, one about a telemed session Lisa Simpson has with a psychologist,, and another called “”Top Writer,” using the show “Top Chef” as a template for a writing competition. Most of the journals I’ve been published in are for poetry or creative non-fiction of a more serious nature, such as Neologism Poetry Journal, Beyond Words Magazine, Sledgehammer Literary, Fahmidan Review, Epoch Press, The Ekphrastic Review, and Trouvaille Review, to name a few. I hold a BFA from The University of Texas at Austin, where I studied theater, English literature, and education. I still live in Austin, and have taught everything from high school Theatre and English, to PreK students with special needs, and I also served as Associate Editor of Austin Family Magazine for 6 years before my son became ill. Currently, I work with high school students with special needs, and there’s nothing better than helping them write something they are proud of, and most of their work is humorous! Wow! That was way too long! I’ll stop now. Thanks for considering my piece. I had a lot of fun writing it, and, it even made my son laugh! (My toughest critic)