The Fall

With apologies to Albert Camus I once was a circus strongman, Sovereign of midway spectacles. I wore a leopard-skin loincloth And a lion-claw necklace. My club was seasoned hardwood. I proudly dragged my knuckles Through the sawdust and straw. I wrestled the orangutan And boxed the kangaroo. I tore phone books in half With my teeth. I became a star promotion With elevation from sideshow freak To a main ring attraction. My charisma was marketed By carnival barkers and snake oil shills. My future in show biz seemed bright. My manner was summertime light, And then came the fall.