Anne-Lise Andresen Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

- Sadness Behind the Mask -

The show was over

                                     The clown face ran out

                                  in an enameled wash bucket

                                The water became like thin paint

                                          in different colors

                                       The face with a smile

                             and tears under his eyes were gone

                               His confidence was washed away

                            The clown was no ordinary circus artist

                            He was a poor, lonely and sad old man

                                   And I was a spectator to one

                                 ordinary person behind the mask -

                                 trying to keep life's tragedy at bay

                                 He wiped off the last paint residue

                                          with a worn gray towel

                        - while tears were burning behind my eyelids

                                    .. the real heroes move in silence

                                                        - and never cries








02.03.2020
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved

Clown at the Abyss Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Kai Michael Neumann
2nd place in the contest

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Charlie Knowlton March 30, 2020 at 9:44 AM OMG! So much emotion and imagery with this one Sunshine…Love it.

Jan Allison March 24, 2020 at 7:00 PM dropping back with my congrats Anne-Lise:-) hugs Jan xx Anne-Lise Andresen March 26, 2020 at 9:47 AM - Many thanks for your congratulations, Jan :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Winged Warrior March 24, 2020 at 6:10 PM Wonderful sad write my friend...Congrats!! on the fine win...all the best Anne-Lise from the Wingster...^WW^ :o) Anne-Lise Andresen March 26, 2020 at 9:46 AM - Many thanks W.W., for your friendly visit, comments and congratulations :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Kim Rodrigues March 24, 2020 at 5:43 PM I can see the clown rinsing away the painful paint. Congratulations, Anne-Lise! Anne-Lise Andresen March 26, 2020 at 9:46 AM - Many thanks for your friendly visit, comments and congratulations, Kim :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

John Watt March 24, 2020 at 1:46 PM Anne-Lise, I just loved your sympathetic look at the clown behind the facepaint. Congratulations on this wonderful #2 win among so many great writes. Hugs/John Anne-Lise Andresen March 26, 2020 at 9:46 AM - Many thanks for your friendly visit, comments and congratulations, John :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Kai Michael Neumann March 24, 2020 at 1:29 PM Congratulations for your marvellous win. Anne-Lise Andresen March 24, 2020 at 1:38 PM - Many thanks for my win in your contest, Kai - So glad you enjoyed it :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus March 4, 2020 at 2:22 PM Beautiful, Anne-Lise! A clown is often used as a metaphor for the human condition. Despite any sadness, one has to carry on, even at the cost of showing a different exterior to what there is within. ~ Hugs // paul Anne-Lise Andresen March 6, 2020 at 7:10 AM - So true, Paul :) - Many thanks for your visit and valuable comments :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jennifer Proxenos March 4, 2020 at 1:26 PM Poem as beautiful as you are my friend. I love clown poems - I wrote and entered one sometime last year. I enjoyed this write very much indeed - hugs and blessings Anne-Lise, Jenny. Anne-Lise Andresen March 6, 2020 at 7:09 AM - Many thanks dear Jenny, for your visit and valuable comments :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Eve Roper March 3, 2020 at 3:10 PM this is such a beautiful and meaningful poem, Sunshine, good luck in the contest. I am so glad you like my post this morning you are a truly lovely lady. Hugs Eve Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:34 AM - I didn't like it .... I loved it, dear Eve ... thank you very much ... so lovely from you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Alison Hodges March 3, 2020 at 2:58 PM This is such a beautiful verse. Adding to my favorites! Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:32 AM - Many thanks for your visit, a valuable fav. and comments ... glad you liked this, Alison :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Demetrios Trifiatis March 3, 2020 at 5:38 AM Impressive writing demonstrating deep knowledge of human nature dearest, Anne-Lise! Hugs xxx Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:30 AM - Many thanks for your valuable comments, Demetrios :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Silent One March 2, 2020 at 5:03 PM Yes!!!! Ending is so true for some.. Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:29 AM - Ending is true for many, S.O. ... many thanks :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Ilene Bauer March 2, 2020 at 4:19 PM very sad but beautifully expressed, anne-lise... Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:27 AM - Yes, it's sad, Ilene ... thank you very much :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Vijay Pandit March 2, 2020 at 3:34 PM You revealed what hides behind the mask---emotive write. All the best, Anne-Lise. Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:26 AM - Some have multiple layers of masks, and we will never see their real face ... many thanks, Vijay :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham March 2, 2020 at 2:46 PM They say behind the make up is a very sad person. They always seem to look sad too. Good luck in the contest. Tom Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:25 AM - And we laugh at them, Tom ... thank you very much :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Charlie Smith March 2, 2020 at 2:44 PM We all have our masks, I suppose, well done Ann-Lise, best wishes... Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:23 AM - You're right, Charlie ... we all have a mask ... thank you very much :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison March 2, 2020 at 2:37 PM aww Anne lise such a fabulous portrayal of what hides truly hides behind the mask:-( hugs jan xx Anne-Lise Andresen March 4, 2020 at 7:22 AM - Like peeling an orange ... thank you very much, Jan :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)