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The Travelling Circus

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PICTURE CREDIT - THE IRISH TIMES.COM

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.

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 5/8/2020 3:58:00 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
Date: 5/8/2020 4:10:00 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

Date: 5/8/2020 3:45:00 PM

Bravo Congrat On Your First place

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/8/2020 4:08:00 PM

Thank you very much Gideon, I'm happy you liked it. Tom

Ann Foster

Date: 9/22/2019 2:55:00 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
Date: 9/22/2019 3:45:00 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

Date: 9/9/2019 10:21:00 AM

This is a masterpiece. Your soul is palpable here, a great dish of lines my wonderful friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/10/2019 12:30:00 AM

Thank you very much Funom, happy you liked it. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 9/1/2019 12:53:00 PM

Loed this poetic creation, Tom Panagiota

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/2/2019 1:47:00 AM

Thanks Panagiota, heading home today, been at the coast for a few days, daughters 40th celebrations. Hope all's well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/30/2019 6:38:00 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
Date: 8/31/2019 2:29:00 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

Date: 8/27/2019 11:36:00 AM

I've never liked clowns but love your poem Tom:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/27/2019 12:37:00 PM

Thanks Jan, must admit they are spooky looking. Tom

CayCay Jennings

Date: 8/26/2019 2:35:00 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
Date: 8/26/2019 3:12:00 AM

Thank you for your lovely comment CayCay, very much.appreciated. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/23/2019 3:01:00 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
Date: 8/23/2019 3:19:00 PM

Thank you for your return visit Connie, much appreciated. Tom

Constance La France

Date: 8/23/2019 11:50:00 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
Date: 8/23/2019 3:18:00 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

Date: 8/22/2019 11:33:00 PM

Back with congratulations my friend. Hugs Eve

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/23/2019 8:58:00 AM

Thank you very much Eve, seeing an image of a clown gave me the inspiration. Tom

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 8/22/2019 1:04:00 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
Date: 8/22/2019 2:00:00 AM

Thank you Lindsay, might.laugh about it now but when you're young it scares the hell.out if you. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 8/21/2019 10:32:00 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
Date: 8/22/2019 1:59:00 AM

Thanks Eve, first go at an enclosed rhyme, another string to my bow lol. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 8/21/2019 9:45:00 PM

well written Tom good luck

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/23/2019 8:58:00 AM

Thanks Timothy.

Timothy Mcguire
Date: 8/22/2019 9:49:00 PM

Great win buddy!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/22/2019 1:57:00 AM

Thanks very much Timothy. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/21/2019 8:45:00 PM

This rings so true, my friend... Glad the demons vanished. Nice entry for the contest, Tom. ~ Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/22/2019 1:57:00 AM

Thank you very much Gershon. The memories fade as you get older but still lurk beneath the surface. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/21/2019 8:28:00 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
Date: 8/22/2019 1:55:00 AM

Thank you Connie, many of us carry those childhood demons and fears well into adult life. We never forget. Tom

Amy Sell

Date: 8/21/2019 7:02:00 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
Date: 8/22/2019 1:53:00 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

Date: 8/21/2019 4:42:00 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
Date: 8/22/2019 1:50:00 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

Date: 8/21/2019 3:00:00 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
Date: 8/21/2019 3:04:00 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.

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 8/21/2019 2:43:00 PM

A killer in disguise! A killer clown, diabolical! Glad that you were able to laugh your fears away. Don't you wish we could do that for all of our fears? Good luck with this great verse.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/21/2019 3:02:00 PM

Thanks very much Sandra. Glad you liked it, It would be great if we could laugh at all lifes obstacles and blow them away. Tom.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/21/2019 1:05:00 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
Date: 8/21/2019 1:14:00 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

Date: 8/21/2019 11:01:00 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
Date: 8/21/2019 11:30:00 AM

Thank you very much Robert, You never forget your childhood demons, they never leave you. Tom.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/21/2019 9:49:00 AM

Clowns freak me out too. I shouldn’t have read “IT”. I’m glad your demon evaporated Tom. :0)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/21/2019 9:58:00 AM

Thanks Richard, clowns not happy with Spielberg, say he's given them a bad press lol. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 8/21/2019 9:32:00 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
Date: 8/21/2019 9:58:00 AM

Thanks Heidi, they are quite menacing looking for sure. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 8/21/2019 9:12:00 AM

Remember the good old days..well scripted poem Tom...all the best.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/21/2019 9:18:00 AM

Thank you Vijay, the circus has changed do much since I was a kid. Never see animals now like you used to. Tom