The Girl Who Laughed Wolf

the girl who laughed wolf
laughed until her lungs gave out
at first they wondered at her laughter
but when she continued they went back
back to work and play and life
and every day she laughed again
until no one took note
and then she laughed wolf one last time
before the laugh itself spilled blood
and she laughed wolf no more
(she laughed, never more)
and nobody heard the silence in the air
for her laugh echoed on for eternity
and no silence betrayed her slow demise
for that is the fate of the girl
who laughed wolf