Tom Cunningham Poet Enclosed Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

PICTURE CREDIT - THE IRISH TIMES.COM

The Travelling Circus

The travelling circus arrived in town
I bought some tickets for my family
We got there early for the matinee
At the entrance was a scary sad clown.
 *   
Like the scary sad clown who in the night
Would come and terrorize me in my dreams
Mom would be alerted by my loud screams
And stay beside me until the morns light.
*
For fifty years it has stayed in my mind
He had a white face with evil black eyes
Red striped trousers; a killer in disguise
In my mind they were evil of some kind.
*
The show began with the flying trapeze
We all got seated in the front row seats
They dazzled us with death defying feats
Forgot the clown and felt more at ease.
*
In the interval though; the clowns appeared
They were laughing and doing stupid things
Realized now that they were human beings
I just laughed and my demons disappeared.



 Written 19th august 2019. 

Writing Challenge 2, August 2019 - Enclosed Rhyme - Poetry Contest.

 Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode.

♡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

Paula Goldsmith May 8, 2020 at 3:58 PM Congratulations on your win. Clowns can be scary or funny. I like the funny ones. The ones in the very small cars were always so funny. Have a great weekend............... Tom Cunningham May 8, 2020 at 4:10 PM Thank you Paula, I know some are quite scary and freak people out. You're right though, there are funny ones, hope you have a lovely weekend too. Tom

Gideon Idudje May 8, 2020 at 3:45 PM Bravo Congrat On Your First place Tom Cunningham May 8, 2020 at 4:08 PM Thank you very much Gideon, I'm happy you liked it. Tom

Ann Foster September 22, 2019 at 2:55 PM I wish that we could make all bad things disappear with laughter. Hugs. Great poem. I also love your cover picture. If that is where you live, you are truly blessed my friend. Tom Cunningham September 22, 2019 at 3:45 PM Thanks very much Ann, they say laughter is the best medicine. The pic on my home page was taken in the lake district in the UK, we had a minibreak earlier this year, a place of outstanding beauty. Tom

Funom Makama September 9, 2019 at 10:21 AM This is a masterpiece. Your soul is palpable here, a great dish of lines my wonderful friend. Tom Cunningham September 10, 2019 at 12:30 AM Thank you very much Funom, happy you liked it. Tom

Panagiota Romios September 1, 2019 at 12:53 PM Loed this poetic creation, Tom Panagiota Tom Cunningham September 2, 2019 at 1:47 AM Thanks Panagiota, heading home today, been at the coast for a few days, daughters 40th celebrations. Hope all's well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich August 30, 2019 at 6:38 PM oh my the picture was like the IT movie!! I think a lot of people have started hating clowns since all the scary movies about them. This had a really sweet ending on it though, Tom. NIcely rhymed. Tom Cunningham August 31, 2019 at 2:29 AM Thank you Andrea, they can look quite terryfying for sure, and Stephen King has made them more so. Enjoy the weekend. Tom

Jan Allison August 27, 2019 at 11:36 AM I've never liked clowns but love your poem Tom:-) hugs Jan xx Tom Cunningham August 27, 2019 at 12:37 PM Thanks Jan, must admit they are spooky looking. Tom

CayCay Godwin August 26, 2019 at 2:35 AM You did a great job. Your lines are tight and hold an enjoyable flow while the imagery sparkles to paint a picture for the reader. I see it placed in the contest and feel such was well deserved. This poem does not clown around poetically! All the best ... CayCay Tom Cunningham August 26, 2019 at 3:12 AM Thank you for your lovely comment CayCay, very much.appreciated. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong August 23, 2019 at 3:01 PM I'm so glad to see this in the winner's circle Tom. Congratulations on your podium win with this deserving entry! : ) xxoo Tom Cunningham August 23, 2019 at 3:19 PM Thank you for your return visit Connie, much appreciated. Tom

Constance La France August 23, 2019 at 11:50 AM Tom, congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with your Enclosed Rhyme, I used to love the circus but have to admit was scared of the clowns, still am even though I know they are just dressed up people, nicely written ~ Tom Cunningham August 23, 2019 at 3:18 PM Thanks very much Constance, first attempt at an enclosed rhyme. Yes, clowns do have an air of menace about them. Thanks too for hosting. Tom.

Eve Roper August 22, 2019 at 11:33 PM Back with congratulations my friend. Hugs Eve Tom Cunningham August 23, 2019 at 8:58 AM Thank you very much Eve, seeing an image of a clown gave me the inspiration. Tom

Lindsay Laurie August 22, 2019 at 1:04 AM Reminds me of when my brother and I went with Mum to watch Snow White. The wicked witch frightened the daylights out of my brother that we had to leave half way through the movie - thanks for the memory Tom - Lindsay Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 2:00 AM Thank you Lindsay, might.laugh about it now but when you're young it scares the hell.out if you. Tom

Eve Roper August 21, 2019 at 10:32 PM this is a great write, Tom, your Rhymes are perfect and the scary clown could have stayed home. :) Good luck in the contest. Hugs eve Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:59 AM Thanks Eve, first go at an enclosed rhyme, another string to my bow lol. Tom

Timothy Mcguire August 21, 2019 at 9:45 PM well written Tom good luck Tom Cunningham August 23, 2019 at 8:58 AM Thanks Timothy. Timothy Mcguire August 22, 2019 at 9:49 PM Great win buddy! Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:57 AM Thanks very much Timothy. Tom

Gershon Wolf August 21, 2019 at 8:45 PM This rings so true, my friend... Glad the demons vanished. Nice entry for the contest, Tom. ~ Gershon Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:57 AM Thank you very much Gershon. The memories fade as you get older but still lurk beneath the surface. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong August 21, 2019 at 8:28 PM I can relate about your fears for clowns Tom. When I was about 4 my mother dressed me as a clown and I was the most unhappy child that Halloween. I still don't appreciate them. I know they are just dressed up and acting, I just don't enjoy seeing them. Your poem conveys that fear perfectly and ends on a happy note. This is wonderful Tom! A great entry for the contest. xxoo Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:55 AM Thank you Connie, many of us carry those childhood demons and fears well into adult life. We never forget. Tom

Amy Sell August 21, 2019 at 7:02 PM I really liked this piece of yours. Sometimes I see people around me as stupid clowns, and this was a good reminder that I should keep that thinking in check and remember we're one and the same! Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:53 AM Haha Thanks Amy, you're right though, the way some folk act , you have to ask yourself. Are they for real lol. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire August 21, 2019 at 4:42 PM It is the realization that the clowns are really just men that eases the fear some children have. The photo does seem to feature a menacing clown, one I'd not like to meet. I've always been interested in the way some people fear clowns and I appreciate your description of how you overcame this fear. Awesome poem, Tom! A fave for me. Hugs, carolyn Tom Cunningham August 22, 2019 at 1:50 AM Thank you Carolyn on both counts, I know even now some flinch at the sight of a clown and some do look quite menacing for sure. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos August 21, 2019 at 3:00 PM Hi Tom - have you ever seen the movie IT - a very terrifying movie about a clown - based on a novel by Stephen King - a clown can be frightening for your children, a lovely poem Tom, well penned. Blessings, Jennifer. Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 3:04 PM Thanks Jennifer, one or two.mentioned it but I haven't seen it, I know real clowns' blamed Spielberg who made it for giving them.a bad name. I'll look out for it. Tom.

Nette Onclaud August 21, 2019 at 1:05 PM as a kid, i had a clown phobia until one took off his makeup and smiled at me...and my love for the circus continues today!... this is a poetic delight well quilled, tom... huggs Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 1:14 PM Thank you nette, first attempt at an enclosed rhyme. Clowns have never bothered me but I know they scare some folk. Tom.

Robert Lindley August 21, 2019 at 11:01 AM Clowns never scared me. I was scared of being bitten in my sleep by giant spiders. To this day, I hate spiders of any size. Enjoyed your wonderful new creation my friend. So very well crafted.. A fav.. and a gem too.. Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 11:30 AM Thank you very much Robert, You never forget your childhood demons, they never leave you. Tom.

Richard Lamoureux August 21, 2019 at 9:49 AM Clowns freak me out too. I shouldn’t have read “IT”. I’m glad your demon evaporated Tom. :0) Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 9:58 AM Thanks Richard, clowns not happy with Spielberg, say he's given them a bad press lol. Tom

Heidi Sands August 21, 2019 at 9:32 AM A great enclosed rhyme Tom! It made me think of someone years ago who was afraid of clowns. I like how you turned that around in the end :) Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 9:58 AM Thanks Heidi, they are quite menacing looking for sure. Tom

Vijay Pandit August 21, 2019 at 9:12 AM Remember the good old days..well scripted poem Tom...all the best. Tom Cunningham August 21, 2019 at 9:18 AM Thank you Vijay, the circus has changed do much since I was a kid. Never see animals now like you used to. Tom