Notes About The Poem

Written for the Iron maiden " Tears of a Clown" song contest sponsored by Robert James L

Tears of a Clown Premiere Contest Winner

S t r e n g t h ~
a somersaulting sigil
you wear in stillness,
when the gold of ascending dawn
kisses the skin of sleeping sand,
when the skylark softly
serenades serenity for the unseen,
while I trace the running lifelines
behind your magical masquerade,
for you’ve long been
a hyacinth healer ~
a poetic feeler, quick to paint
smiles from the dripping sangria of sorrow,
filling the air with mellifluous mantras,
as you stand, lips tinged with salt,
from thunderstruck drumbeats
lost in the circus of l i f e,
where kindness is labeled
as manipulation,
and empathy is dismissed
like an empty sign of weakness…

O silent warrior, hope-weaver,
disguised as a jester,
to speak
the truth of tears,
must the moon in your soul spin
puns with riddled regrets,
mimicking remorseful cracks
of yesterday’s hiccups,
perhaps it is beneath
unmoving clouds
that the crystalline gates
of russet-warm eyes
shall reveal 
the sun within spoken satire,
for you’ve been a performer 
wearing wounds and pain,
stitched with neon confetti ~
a magnetic sight for the
spectators who refuse
to feel the hymns
within your heartbeat.
They deserve not the voice
of your erased story,
for they are the seasonal errors,
waltzing with the whimsical wind,
carrying comical tales
on crimson cartwheels,
never in sync with the ache
that burns amidst lyrical laughter…

Tonight,
I taste the liquefied lament
and drown in the whistles
ricocheting across the carnival of angst,
where love rides the night
like a fleeting feather,
caught in the bleeding friction
of a chaotic carousel ~
confusing hurt with harmony,
masking melancholy with music,
parading the forsaken,
flaunting skills of acrobatics,
consumed in ruling as the curer
who calms the cyclones.
But if only they knew
the weeping of a harlequin,
the diamond tears of a clown,
perhaps then their compassion
would thaw the ice claws
on your regal crown,
allowing you to rest your head
upon cotton candy pillows,
shaped in starry ribbons,
as tender tunes of twilight
become the lullaby
that soothes the heavy horizon,
eager to suffocate the dreamer
who gives gracefully ~
walking on hellfire,
listening to lies,
no longer broken nor scarred,
humble and loyal,
as tomorrow comes,
tomorrow goes,
but the cloud remains
the same, 
n u m b 
           and 
                  h o l l ow ...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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12
Date: 5/7/2025 9:04:00 PM
Congratulations on your win dear poet. Cheers!!!
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Date: 5/7/2025 2:06:00 PM
so very sad, haunting, and beautiful.
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Date: 5/7/2025 6:10:00 AM
Hmm... What should I say....? On second reading, I find it more powerful, so emotive and heart wrenching! Let me comment borrowing words from your poem. In a world, where empathy is dismissed like a sign of weakness, the clown is a silent warrior. He performs, wearing wounds and pains. The spectators never care to listen to the hymns of pain rising from his heart. Amid his laughter, there is an ache that burns. He masks melancholy with music. For him time doesn't count. Tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes. But nothing changes... all remain numb and hollow. What a masterpiece! No wonder this has received double accolades- a trophy and a POTD. Hearty Congratulations, dear friend.
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Date: 5/6/2025 11:35:00 PM
POTD, trophy winner, what other accolades can we give this wonderful piece of art? You’ve done it again Ink! Congratulations on being the Queen of style!! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Congrats on your first place win, well deserved.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/7/2025 12:57:00 AM
Thank you so much dear robert, i always appreciate your golden virtual trophies, thank you for your compliments and kind support! Sending you light always
Date: 5/5/2025 9:30:00 PM
Where do I even begin with this masterpiece? Truly magnificent, Inky. Heartiest congratulations on your well-deserved POTD kudos.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/7/2025 12:57:00 AM
Thank you so very much dear EI, appreciate always your kindness! Truly! Sending you light always
Date: 5/5/2025 5:36:00 AM
Dearest Empress, Well you left me speechless. Your way of capturing the ache and beauty of resilience with such raw honesty-each line is a balm for every soul that’s ever worn a brave face in a storm. I see your strength, your empathy, your magic. Even in circus chaos, kindness and hope can still bloom. You are a true hyacinth healer, always. FAV!! Congrats on POTD. Spring Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/7/2025 12:58:00 AM
Thank you so very much dear daniel! Grateful for the fave and kindness and support truly always. Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 6:07:00 PM
Congratulations. Good Ink poetry. Thanks for sharing!
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Empress Avatar
Ink Empress
Date: 5/4/2025 9:55:00 AM
Thank you so much for visiting, much appreciated , sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 3:13:00 PM
Congratulations Ink on POTD. More than well deserved.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/4/2025 9:52:00 AM
Awwn grumpy commented! What an honor! Thank you so much for your visit, always a pleasure seeing you in comments
Date: 5/3/2025 2:21:00 PM
Congratulations, money well spent ??
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/4/2025 9:49:00 AM
Thank you?? Appreciate your visit
Date: 5/3/2025 1:51:00 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved achievement. TEARS OF A CLOWN is a gem. I'm happy that you won POTD.
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Empress Avatar
Ink Empress
Date: 5/4/2025 9:46:00 AM
Always a pleasure hearing from you dear hilda! Thank you so much for your kind and sincere support always! Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 12:46:00 PM
Congratulations on an amazing honorable POTD IEmpress! The clown suffers what has been handed to him within his circus of life, make-up can only cover so much of the pain and misunderstood as possibly insane. Metaphors so gently scribbled as usual. A masterpiece born. It makes for a great Iron Maiden song! Always enlightened by you, Anaya ~xhugs
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/4/2025 9:43:00 AM
Thank you so much for your generous and kind comment dear anaya, i do appreciate your very thoughtful response! Sending you light always
Date: 5/3/2025 11:34:00 AM
' S t r e n g t h, you wear in stillness, ' while ' diamond tears rest upon cotton candy pillows. ' Outward appearance - staying strong for others. It happens all the time. Hiding pain is never a good thing. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. A tender tribute, indeed. Congratulations Ink Empress, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 11:43:00 AM
Thank you so much dear brandy for supporting me and for leaving such a beautiful comment, im grateful always for your visits on POTDs, this poem is written inspired by the song " tears of a clown " by iron maiden, it is not a tribute to anyone specific: appreciate your kind response truly
Date: 5/3/2025 10:21:00 AM
IE, I haven't really known anyone who was a circus clown, but the life and feelings you describe are sad ones consistent with the theme of the contest. As I read something like this, I put myself in as the clown and can't help but feel what you describe as it is so generative using strong images. One would only hope that a clown would love making people laugh...but on the other hand and as you describe, how would a clown receive healing and light for his or her own pain? Your writing amazes! Sending smiles and feeling lucky I don't need to put on a costume!!!
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 11:41:00 AM
Haha im glad you dont have to put on a costume too dear duke! Thank you so much for your generous and sincere comment im truly grateful always for your time and support
Date: 5/3/2025 8:57:00 AM
Wow! Congrats on POTD! YAY!
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Empress Avatar
Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 11:40:00 AM
Awwn thank you dear paige! How sweet! You are so thoughtful! Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 8:24:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I loved reading your "Tears of a Clown" powerful write again. Have a blessed day with your win...........
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 11:40:00 AM
Thank you dear kind soul Paula! I appreciate your kind support
Date: 5/3/2025 5:45:00 AM
The "hyacinth healer"--the quiet strength of one who gives so much, while bearing many burdens and wounds. An interesting piece indeed, Ink. Congrats on your POTD.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:41:00 AM
Thank you so much dear Mickey, grateful for your kind support. Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 5:42:00 AM
Tribute poem, POTD, all good reasons to smile today. You deserve it!
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/3/2025 8:17:00 AM
Admins have said it's random algorithm but who knows
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:41:00 AM
I didnt expect potd yes, as i think i received also only one fave for this, i dont know how potd works but its always nice to receive support from soupers, very kind environment, thank you so much! Grateful
Date: 5/3/2025 5:14:00 AM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:39:00 AM
Thank you always for being so kind and supportive dear anne lise! Grateful for your support truly
Date: 5/3/2025 5:06:00 AM
Very nicely penned, Congrats on POTD
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:33:00 AM
Nice to see you dear joseph, thank you so much for your comment, always appreciate your kindness from the start of my journey here. Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 4:58:00 AM
INK, a wonderfully penned emotive poem. Congratulations on POTD.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:27:00 AM
Thank you so much dear Tania. Appreciate your comment and well wishes, sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 4:18:00 AM
No clouds allowed overhead when you receive potd. ;-)
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:27:00 AM
Thank you so much dear linnersz, so kind of you to return, and leave such an uplifting comment again, im grateful for your sincere support always! Sending you light
Date: 5/3/2025 4:13:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win with your amazingly beautiful poem,Ink. Wonderfully woven. Wishing you a fabulous weekend as you celebrate your win,my friend.
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 6:17:00 AM
Thank you so much, I wish you a wonderful weekend! Sending you light! Appreciate always your support truly
Date: 5/3/2025 3:18:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD sweet Ink…..Debx
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 5:39:00 AM
Thank you always sweet debx appreciate your kindness
Date: 5/3/2025 3:17:00 AM
“perhaps then their compassion would thaw the ice claws on your regal crown, allowing you to rest your head upon cotton candy pillows, shaped in starry ribbons, as tender tunes of twilight become the lullaby that soothes the heavy horizon, eager to suffocate the dreamer“ This is marvelous! How do you come up with these magical patterns of speech? You are very gifted! Thanks for sharing this piece and congratulations on a most deserved potd!
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 5:35:00 AM
Your comments are always so heartwarming dear karen, thank you sincerely for your kind and generous feedback! Im truly grateful for your support always
Date: 5/3/2025 2:36:00 AM
Congratulations on receiving POTD what? This well deserved an incredible piece. Poetry at its finest. Fav of all favs
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Ink Empress
Date: 5/3/2025 5:30:00 AM
Thank you so much sis for your return, with congrats and fave also! Your kindness i truly appreciate
12
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