Gray Pillar Leg
Outside of town, a cluster of circus folk
were clanging stakes into summer's ground.
It was a lively event:
with a sequined lion tamer
heavily muscled trapeze artists
the smell of cheap carnival food
and watered-down drinks.
A stuffed Sabre-toothed cat was paraded in a cage.
While a chimp blew kisses to bubble-popping music.
Clowns and sparkling ladies
manically smiling between everything...
I was sitting at home that night.
Thinking about the gentle gray giant.
Who'd given rides to children all night.
Without a break or complaint.
Slowly walking her tiny circle of misery,
Sadly, chewing away on something unseen.
After the performers took a victory lap...
I watched the elephant handler, fingering his cash.
Within the grand shadow of "Viola," his meal ticket...
Metal hook flashing from the loop in his pants.
I'd contributed a link to that thick chain
around Viola's gray pillar leg...
That was the last circus I would ever attend.
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