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Dreadful Fairytale

Dreadful Fairytale

Stay away from the paint.
You’ll kill yourself on the swing.
The green VW cannot contain all of you.
Change into something more modest.
Sequined slippers sparkle gauche.

It is the pink and kerneled 
lures me under the tent of
impossibility.  I do not fathom
aviaries of peakcocked humans 
reaching for a canvassed sky.

Danger lurks behind the
masks of frantic made up clowns. 
Large red lips and big flat feet
horrify me amidst others
sidesplitting crazu glee.

I am with the hawkers’
cotton candy, cracker jacks
until the ring is darkened
and I leave this pit of panic.
All to pay is a stomachache
much too very real.

Kathryn McLoughlin Collins
May 12, 2012


For David Williams Circus contest.

Copyright © Kathryn Collins | Year Posted 2012

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Poet Destroyer A Date: 5/29/2012 8:36:00 AM LOL,, you made me smile, and chuckle so much,, after reading your comment...i feel like reading your poetry now... I like the 3rd limerick, the best... It does not, sound as terrifying but, the image can give you a whopping thought, of that clown from the movie "IT".. except for the crazu glue image. I don't know about you, but everything i have been told has turned out to be nothing but, the opposite of wonderful.. enjoyed the circus clashing view.. congrats with your win..pd Login to Reply

Carol Sunshine Brown Date: 5/19/2012 8:00:00 AM Congratulations on your placement in David's "Circus" contest Kathryn. Love, Carol Login to Reply

Terry O'Leary Date: 5/19/2012 4:45:00 AM Very nice... and congrats... Terry Login to Reply

David Williams Date: 5/19/2012 3:55:00 AM Kathy congrats on your win, I liked this for the way you portray the hawkers point of view.all part of the circus...David Login to Reply

Black Eyed Susan Date: 5/15/2012 8:06:00 AM I can relate to fear of the clown. I used to have a Ronald McDonald doll and had nightmares about him because of his garishly made up face! talk about creepy...anyway, enjoyed your poem, especially the last verse :) Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/15/2012 8:19:00 AM Thanks. You are right. Ronald McDonald reminds me of Chuckie in those horror movies. Kathy

Harry Horsman Date: 5/14/2012 3:17:00 PM Like Andrea, i was reading this, for the fairy contest, but you are so right, it is a awesome entry for David's has well. enjoyed this poem. harry Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/15/2012 7:22:00 AM Thanks Harry. I wasn't aware of the fairy contest, but I'll check it out. Thanks for your encouraging comments. love, Kathy

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 5/14/2012 1:47:00 PM Some children are afraid of clowns, but I've always loved them. I really like the line about "aviaries of peacocked humans reaching for a canvassed sky." I think we are all reaching out for something. If we let our fears stop us, we'll never know if we would have reached our goal. Had to laugh at the stomach ache line, too. Great wrie, Kathryn! Love, carolyn Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/15/2012 7:23:00 AM I love what you say about not letting our fears stop us. So much we wouldn't know or enjoy if we don't plow through. Kathy

Keith Bickerstaffe Date: 5/12/2012 10:09:00 PM I've always been afraid of clowns! This, with such stark and vivid imagery, scares me even more! Well done, Kathryn!! Best wishes, Keith Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/14/2012 7:36:00 AM I'm not exactly afraid of clowns but I do think they are horrifying. I can't stand it when I can't read the expression on a person's face. Barnum and Bailey didn't have me in mind with their circuses. love, Kathy

Joe Flach Date: 5/12/2012 10:30:00 AM Kathryn, absolutely mystifying and intoxicating. I often have a tough time understanding and comprehending this type of poem - but this one painted a picture that I could see, feel and relate to. Great use of words with a free verse that actually reads like a verse. I LOVED IT. Good luck in the contest - it is a winner in my book, for what that's worth. Joe Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/14/2012 7:37:00 AM Thanks Joe - I hate it when I can't understand a poem/verse Thanks for the encouragement. love, Kathy

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/12/2012 10:21:00 AM Hey, this could do double duty in the fairy tale contest too!! talk about me!! What about you and YOUR imagination. This is very clever, Kathryun. I know David wanted a poem in which you described yourself as a performer. I love how you did it about the feelings you get from the circus. I sure hope he likes it this way because it's a very well written poem! Login to Reply Kathryn Collins Date: 5/14/2012 7:38:00 AM not a person for pomp and noise and showy showy. Glad you like it. love, Kathy