Gray Pillar Leg

Outside of town a cluster of circus people 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 smiled between everything... I was sitting 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.