not laughing

Do you ever imagine future situations where you know you'll be laughing?
But then those moments never come.
You felt so sure they would.
You saw yourself seated at a table with several people.
You finished telling the tale--the damp yellow light showing the suspense on the faces of those sitting in the chairs drawn to the table.
You saw yourself howling with laughter as the others rocked in their chairs. One friend falls off and the shrieking heightens.
But as you're seeing this, in the present before the future, it's just you.
Alone.
Underneath the pale light
And you're not laughing.