circus chagrin
the crowd dispersed in floods of tears
disappointed that the spectacle was over
when madness resolved and sanity became restored
the clown’s persona now unmasked
make up made down for a grimace
a silent scream half aborted in the arena
masqueraded agony exchanged for a smirk
at last the lions would not have to
jump through hoops of unhinged fire
snakes now willing to shed burnt skin
participated in naked laughter and joy
the stupid August survived the fall
as he explored the autumn of life
squashed a bit at first when he
caught a trapeze artist who missed the net
and disentangled the remains of the capture
dazzled a skimpy dressed con artist
removed daggers from her torso
careful not to impale herself in the process
of self-targeted remorse as poniards denuded the truth
diabolo’s juggling halted in mid-air
alluding to the illusion of impermanent time
but even that would not pacify the spectators
who felt dispossessed by their diabolical fare
elephants trumpeted a final crescendo
when the bears chased the circus director
into submission pleading for mercy and regret
but the fleas feasted on his disingenuous stutter
outside the tent Tarot card readers
indulged in hellish merriment
proclaimed the end of the world
testified to the power of Satan
as the fool revealed himself
for he had always been a wise jester
when kids cried for ice cream and candy cotton
wool fell from the eyes of their carers and
salted caramel and strawberry flavours
melted in the bright sunshine of liberation
the show is not over until the lady bird sings
black on red polka dots cherished their wings
spanning the end of imprisoning entertainment
dismayed and heavy-hearted the rabble
roused from mischief imposed
admitted defeat from pandemonium
and had to find their own meaning of living
Copyright © Kai Michael Neumann | Year Posted 2024
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