Hilda Greenhough Poet Rhyme

The Big Top

"Let's go see the circus", he said with glee.
So we went, we kids, my mother, and he.
I didn't want to go. It was late at night, 
But agreed to go not wanting a fight.

Though it was late, the tent was still standing.
"Look! See the circus", he was demanding.
There was naught to see and we kept silent.
Regretting this trip, we stayed compliant.

Suddenly there was fast movement and noise, 
Then out ran a bunch of roustabout boys.
Quickly the last Ringling Big Top was gone.
All of us were tired and starting to yawn.

So I missed the last circus that came to town.
I only saw the Big Top being torn down.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Evelyn Judy Buehler April 16, 2026 at 8:50 PM Hilda, I loved reading this nostalgic, bittersweet poem. Wonderful writing! A fave for me. :) Hilda Greenhough April 26, 2026 at 8:18 PM Thank you for reading it and for the fave too. It's good to hear from you.

Gordon Mcconnell October 21, 2025 at 4:23 AM Fine penning Hilda, with good rhyme and flow with insightful line of thought too. Blessings,Gordon Hilda Greenhough October 21, 2025 at 7:55 AM Thank you. I appreciate your opinion.

Sotto Poet October 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM A profound revelation, indeed, Hilda, regarding the seizing of fleeting opportunities! Great Job Hilda Greenhough October 19, 2025 at 6:53 AM Fleeting opportunities. I've had many. Thank you. ps. Just getting my Halloween poem ready to publish.

Rachel Steinmetz October 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM Such a powerful lesson about grabbing opportunities, Hilda! Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem! Hilda Greenhough October 19, 2025 at 12:25 AM I appreciate your comment. Thank you for visiting.

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh October 16, 2025 at 4:10 AM It's a reality of life Well written Hilda Greenhough October 16, 2025 at 6:55 AM Thank you for visiting my poem.

Sotto Poet October 15, 2025 at 6:37 AM There will always be another opportunity, despite the prolonged anticipation, somewhat exceeding previous spans...Good writing Hilda Hilda Greenhough October 15, 2025 at 1:16 PM Thank you. Thanks for the encouragement.

John Loving Iii October 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM We got the circus they got telephones. I wonder if it would be worth it to revive the circus. Soon we wont have zoo's. Hilda Greenhough October 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM I hope we keep zoos. And pet dogs and cats. Thanks for your comment.

Dr. Vandana Sharma October 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM There is always the next time, yet the wait seems a bit longer.... Hilda Greenhough October 12, 2025 at 7:28 AM As I get older, it's longer. Thank you for your comment.

Anne-Lise Andresen October 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM - A big disappointment... maybe next time :) - hugs Hilda Greenhough October 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM More disappointing when I was young. I get over it now with good music and a good snack.

David Crandall October 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM wow, pretty disappointing. I still remember the first and only time I saw a traditional circus, in downtown L.A. when I was about 7 years old. Hilda Greenhough October 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM I'm glad you got to see one. I guess the animals are better off being put out to pasture. Many foreign circuses are very cruel.

CayCay Godwin October 10, 2025 at 10:12 AM Well written. I, too, have circus memories and feelings as does Gershon, I read. Enjoyed Hilda Greenhough October 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM Thank you. TV has replaced so many outings.

Gershon Wolf October 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM Well, I can tell you that at the end of the circus' lifetime, about 10-12 years ago, I think, it was a pretty sad spectacle. The halcyon days were long gone by then... Hilda Greenhough October 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM We are saturated with entertainment. I like the animals but I'll go to the zoo.

Sotto Poet October 7, 2025 at 4:51 AM A touching reminiscence of bygone days and the transience of life. What a delightful read! Hilda Greenhough October 7, 2025 at 6:25 AM Thank you.

Victor Buhagiar October 7, 2025 at 3:41 AM I used to love circus. Bullying can destroy anything. Hilda Greenhough October 7, 2025 at 6:25 AM Thank you for your comment.

Christopher Delegans October 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM A beautifully nostalgic reflection with loss and fleeting moments. I enjoyed reading! Hilda Greenhough October 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM It's nice to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

Zyrool Gifford October 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM Going to the circus fills a child’s head with excitement, especially seeing the animals. Sad, the big top was torn down. Beautifully written, Hilda. Hilda Greenhough October 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM Thank you.

Kim Rodrigues October 6, 2025 at 9:44 AM The excitement, the disappointment! Hilda Greenhough October 6, 2025 at 10:07 AM I would have liked to see the elephants one last time. They were my buddies (at least in my mind).

Joseph P. DiMino October 4, 2025 at 5:51 AM Lots of changes since the world I grew up in. Lots of tents coming down. Lots of old fun and traditions gone. AI, yuck! Not a hands-on, less honest generation now. Email instead of phone. Cold unfeeling. Commercials I am seeing on the internet, even famous people all phony, computer generated. I just turn them off. The circus was entertaining, the animals were real, the big cats, though were sadly removed from the wild where they belonged. Oh well! Psychology has replaced intelligence. I miss Plato and Socrates. Hilda Greenhough October 4, 2025 at 6:47 AM The animals had to work. They may be happier now, but attendance helped feed them. I liked the trapeze artists and the clowns, who were sometimes the same.

Valsa George October 3, 2025 at 10:45 PM Antisocial elements can create chaos any time. Sad, the Big top was pulled down by miscreants! Hilda Greenhough October 4, 2025 at 6:40 AM It was an American tradition. My family had enough money to take us to the last show. Yet we stood in mud to see the chance was gone.

sara Etgen-Baker October 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM what a delightful time you must've had at the circus but, oh, how sad....that the Big Top is gone. Nicely done, Hilda, hugs, Sara Hilda Greenhough October 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM No more animal circus, but a lot to see. Thanks for reading.

Paula Goldsmith October 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM I enjoyed reading with much said. Your wonderful "The Big Top" write is powerful. "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a Blessed day/weekend writing away.......... Hilda Greenhough October 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM Thank you.

Paige Hind October 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM Trauma from childhood is in the adult's eyes. It shadows, joy, whatever. I am sorry for your pain. Paige Hind October 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM Okay, well, I am sorry. I just saw the category and was confused on the subject matter. All best, poetess :) Hilda Greenhough October 3, 2025 at 12:20 PM There wasn't much pain in this instance. It was mote stupid. If tears were expected, the moment was lost.

Paige Hind October 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM Oh, God, I just saw the subject line, this was about abuse. I am so so sorry. I will reread this again, love to you, Hilda Greenhough October 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM Truth told, I went with a friend the year before. No adults and we had a great time.

Paige Hind October 3, 2025 at 11:02 AM Interesting and humorous, lol Hilda Greenhough October 3, 2025 at 12:16 PM Thank you.