Kathryn Collins Poet Free verse

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.

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Poet Destroyer A May 29, 2012 at 8:36 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

Carol Sunshine Brown May 19, 2012 at 8:00 AM Congratulations on your placement in David's "Circus" contest Kathryn. Love, Carol

Terry O'Leary May 19, 2012 at 4:45 AM Very nice... and congrats... Terry

David Williams May 19, 2012 at 3:55 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

Black Eyed Susan May 15, 2012 at 8:06 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 :) Kathryn Collins May 15, 2012 at 8:19 AM Thanks. You are right. Ronald McDonald reminds me of Chuckie in those horror movies. Kathy

Harry Horsman May 14, 2012 at 3:17 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 Kathryn Collins May 15, 2012 at 7:22 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 May 14, 2012 at 1:47 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 Kathryn Collins May 15, 2012 at 7:23 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 May 12, 2012 at 10:09 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 Kathryn Collins May 14, 2012 at 7:36 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 May 12, 2012 at 10:30 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 Kathryn Collins May 14, 2012 at 7:37 AM Thanks Joe - I hate it when I can't understand a poem/verse Thanks for the encouragement. love, Kathy

Andrea Dietrich May 12, 2012 at 10:21 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! Kathryn Collins May 14, 2012 at 7:38 AM not a person for pomp and noise and showy showy. Glad you like it. love, Kathy