David Kavanagh | + Follow Poet |
Tanka | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Tatters

platypus features 
      greasepaint pallor weirdo clown
              red nose big honker 
        outlandish shoes flail around 
         crazy hairdo balding crown 

               eyes evoke pathos
    whitewashed face a haunting frown 
               empty seats again 
          last show in his frilly gown 
         tattered circus closing down


TATTERS Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mystic Rose Rose
Howmanysyllables 5/7/5/7/7 x 2

Please Login to post a comment

FJ Thomas Date: 1/9/2023 1:50:00 PM That would explain perfectly the sadness she sees in his eyes. Excellent David! I have not yet been able to find the words for this prompt. Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 1/9/2023 2:54:00 PM It’s a tricky prompt FJ, so I basically went with my personal impression of clowns in the first Tanka, then with the picture image in the second, hopefully it works in the contest, thanks for your positive comments, cheers David

Brian Sambourne Date: 1/4/2023 1:19:00 PM Very moving David. A sense of closure with the clown painted face of melancholy. So well written. (Thank you for reminding me of FIFA World Cup football - it sparked my write on Messi). Best wishes, Brian Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 1/4/2023 2:22:00 PM Thank you Brian, as you can see from my tankas I have a certain ambivalence towards clowns, they evoke joy and sadness all at once, just popped over to read your post and left comment, cheers David

Mike Gentile Date: 1/3/2023 4:13:00 AM David, you beautifully expressed what seems an end to an era, The imagery is perfect, Great entry for the contest !! Happy New Year!! Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 1/3/2023 5:23:00 AM Good to hear from you Mike, yes indeed I think the circus as we knew it, is in inexorable decline, sad but true, most activities now seem to be enhanced by special effects, and CGI now, cheers David (and a happy new year to you too)!