The Cryin Clown

There's a well traveled "Broken Heart Lane"
On the outskirts of my hometown
People come from miles around
Sharing misery from love in vain

A honkytonk where sad songs flow
Underneath a flashing neon sign
Where libations and music combine
To be a pied piper for lonely souls

From the first time I walked in
Found an empty booth at the back
My love train had jumped the track
Those sad songs were not my friends

I'd sit by that whiskey river
That ran from the sea of love
They'd always give me a shove
When their message was delivered

It was called "The Cryin Clown
Performances were always live
You could slow dance with brokenhearted wives
Until the river pulled you down

One day I finally moved away
Broke loose from my pillory
That old clown would call to me
Every time those sad songs played

I may be love's circus clown
I know where I won't be found
In a river where whiskey drowns
Neath the sign of the Cryin Clown


   an original poem by the "Poemdog" Daniel Turner
    Pillory - wooden framework with holes for the head and hands
                where the offender was exposed to public abuse

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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

Date: 4/4/2016 3:26:00 PM
I really enjoyed reading this - so many beautiful lines!
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 4/4/2016 4:36:00 PM
Thank you, Fiona. I appreciate you taking the time to read and leave friendly comments. Peace my friend:)
Date: 4/3/2016 1:00:00 PM
Daniel, this is FANTASTIC writing. One of your best. SEVEN
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 4/3/2016 4:38:00 PM
Thank you, Andrea. I really appreciate your kind comments. Peace my friend:)
Date: 3/31/2016 10:17:00 AM
Slow dance with this brokenhearted wife? We have a joint in our town like that too. It's called Grab a Granny!
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 4/3/2016 4:34:00 PM
Sounds like my kinda place. Thanks for stopping by, Jean. Peace my friend:)
Date: 3/30/2016 10:32:00 PM
fabulous tune my friend...many have gone down that path but not many return
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 3/31/2016 7:36:00 AM
Thank you, Tim. Yeah, it's like a home for broken hearts or something. I appreciate the friendly visit. Peace my friend:)
Date: 3/30/2016 8:48:00 PM
This brought to mind my first encounter with poetry, as a very young man, and loving the lyrics to Willie Nelson's "Whiskey River"...way ahead of his time with his poetic lyrics and "jazz phrasing"..."drowning in the amber currents of the wetness of it's soul". Nice write for a windy, stormy spring night. J.
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 3/30/2016 8:57:00 PM
I love Willie Nelson! I'm glad you liked my little song. Needs some spicing up, I think. Peace my friend:)
Date: 3/30/2016 8:10:00 PM
A real tear jerker DT. Sounds like a joint in Ft. Smith, AR. I've been to, we called the "menopause room". Good write. Brought back some old memories ...
Login to Reply
Smith Avatar
Charlie Smith
Date: 3/30/2016 8:36:00 PM
Not from there, but lived there a couple of years. I live in Dallas, trust me, there's a few of those joints here too.
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 3/30/2016 8:32:00 PM
Well Charlie I'm from Arkansas too! Just across the state. I appreciate the friendly visits. Have a shot on me. Peace my friend:)
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter