Sam Kauffman Poet Couplet

The Greatest Show On Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth

Mr. Pik lived alone, across our street -
All the kids knew him, dressed up so neat;

Mr. Pik loved the circus – every kind -
Each year, in our mailbox, tickets, we’d find;

So much excitement - growing every day -
Circus, the topic, when we went to play.

We watched the clock tick away afternoon -
Finally night came - for us none too soon.

Girls dressed in dresses - shoes - patent leather -
Boys in bow ties - no matter the weather;

Families scrunched in old station wagons -
Sounding just like an asthmatic dragon;

Seven miles from the big top we could taste
Popcorn and peanuts, oh please, do make haste;

Ladies and gentlemen, look here and see
The ringmaster pointed us to ring three;

First came the clowns with red funny noses
Squirting the crowd – water from fake roses;

Next, the acrobats riding sleek horses,
Purples plumes on their heads – never off course;

Lions and tigers - elephants, oh my -
Animals exotic paraded by;

Walkers on tightropes left us all breathless –
Covered our eyes, watching never the less;

Finally the last act – our hearts would seize -
Daring young man on the flying trapeze;

Sleepy eyes closing on the ride home -
Night at the circus so like a poem;

Rollicking, boisterous evening of mirth
Mr. Pik’s gift – the greatest show on earth.

Every year our neighbor, Mr. Pik - a widower - would treat the neighborhood to a night at the circus.

I know thought has changed about having wild animals in the circus but in my childhood they were a part of the show.
5/2/20

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Susan Ashley May 7, 2020 at 9:12 PM How precious your memories are, Sam. I loved the lively imagery, especially; 'Families scrunched in old station wagons - Sounding just like an asthmatic dragon;'. Brilliant! You captured the anticipation a child feels and the breathless excitement of the big top.. but most of all, you captured the generous spirit of a kindhearted neighbor in your enthralling poem. Your note about Mr. Pik was so touching. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Sam Kauffman May 8, 2020 at 10:24 PM Going to the circus was such a special, and memorable experience for our neighborhood. You are right, they are precious memeories of childhood. And so is Mr. Pik - we really loved him. Thank you for your warm words and your congratulations! Hope all is well with you. The best to you.

Paula Goldsmith May 5, 2020 at 11:53 PM Congratulations on your win. The circus was always a great time of the year. That one very special neighbor will always be remembered. I have a couple of them. Enjoy your win and day.......... Sam Kauffman May 8, 2020 at 10:51 PM Thank you so much Paula! We are so blessed to have people like Mr. Pik in our childhood and blessed to have those special memeories of childhood. Be blessed.

Gregory Richard Barden May 5, 2020 at 10:50 PM Happy Cinco de Mayo and sincere congratulations for your win in Brian's contest, Sam - keep up the great work! I hope you are staying safe and sound, My Friend - blessings! :o) Sam Kauffman May 8, 2020 at 10:26 PM Hi Gregory! Happy Cinco de Maya week! All is well. Thank you for your congratulations and warm wishes. All is well. Hope you are doing well, my friend. Be blessed.

L. J. Carber May 5, 2020 at 1:11 PM Some really neat imagery, very very cool! e.g., an asthmatic dragon!!! A 1st in my book, Sam Sam Kauffman May 8, 2020 at 10:45 PM Couldn't resist the asthmatic dragon. Thank you for your vote of confidence - so appreciated. Always good to hear from you. Hope is well. Blessings.

Sonia Walker May 5, 2020 at 11:06 AM Sam, such a delightful poem to read. What a generous neighbor you had with Mr. Pik. As children going to the circus was an exciting time for us. You managed to capture that feeling so well within your poem. ~ Sonia Sam Kauffman May 8, 2020 at 10:48 PM Your visit, Sonia, is so appreciated. Thank you. We would talk about the circus before and after that special evening. And, Mr. Pik was special - quiet and dignified. Sounds like you loved the circus!

John Watt May 4, 2020 at 7:17 PM What a generous man you have paid homage to, Sam. Those memories of the circus seem so fresh in your mind! Fun memories in enjoyable couplets ~ John Sam Kauffman May 4, 2020 at 9:53 PM Thank you! Going to the circus as a neighborhood was an a very memorable experience every year and gave us a chance to get to know Mr. Pik. He left a wonderful legacy of generosity.

Gershon Wolf May 3, 2020 at 8:47 PM One more treat kids can't enjoy anymore, once Barnum and Bailey called it quits... A shame! Great write, Sam! :) gw Sam Kauffman May 4, 2020 at 9:49 PM Thank you Gershon! Yes it is! No more running away to join the circus! What's a kid to do?

Tom Cunningham May 3, 2020 at 3:53 AM A great show Sam and a great neighbour. Over Fork Over Tom Sam Kauffman May 3, 2020 at 3:26 PM Thanks so much Tom. Mr. Pik was a quiet, yet dignified man - a part of our neighborhood in such a special way - giving us special memories of the circus and generosity. There were over seventy kids in twenty houses on one block! Be blessed! Over Fork Over!