Notes About The Poem

Tree Top Dancers

Tree Top Dancers
and Circus Clowns

The neighbors moved away. 
They said nothing to anyone, 
they just left. 
New people took the home. 
There was a big truck. 
It was full of boxes, 
and a TV. 

It was jam-packed with animals...
and cages and crates, 
and statutes of...
Greek women holding water vases, 
Greek men with harps. 

The truck itself was all blue. 
Funny, even the tires. 
Odd. 

I watched as they unloaded other things; 
a giant clock that rang...
from the time they took it from the vehicle, 
until it went... inside... (hushed tones). 
There was a deep freezer, 
the size you could fit six grown men...in.
One on top of another...
a side; by side by side by side, by side, by side. 

There was a trunk with a hunchback, 
and then a hunchback with a trunk. 
What can I say... they were a pair, 
I had to stare. 
Unfair, I looked away. 

Then the mom, and the dad...
came rolling up the drive. 
They were in a giant bread truck;
made of cowhide?
A dozen kids on the back, 
and even a few on a rack?
 
A lively crew of gypsies. 
Carnies, forced to retire;
from long days, 
now gone. 
The circus,  the show, 
the festival of colors;
no more...

Come to a new place, 
to put on a new face, 
to leave no trace, 
of all that was left behind. 

Yet how do you start a fresh life, 
from a comfortable place you always lived, 
upside down, right side up, 
cheers all around, 
and elephants that danced, 
giraffes that sang, 
and popcorn was the main course;
at dinner. 

Now everyday life, 
full of strife, 
trying to make things right, 
somewhere in the world. 

The clowns still make some laugh, 
at every funny gaff, 
even if...
it is not in a big shoe, 
or under a giant tent. 

Be happy. 
It is a choice.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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

Wolf Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 6:38 PM
I knew these were gypsies from the get-go. Very hard for them in normal American towns and cities. Kind of a disaster waiting to happen. Oh, well. Ta, ta! :) Gershon
Foster Avatar
January 21, 2020 at 6:51 PM
Hehe... Oh yes... I love gypsies... and circus folk of all kinds. I wanted to be one... maybe they will still let me ... maybe?.... Ann
Dietrich Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 2:37 PM
the deep freezers made me think you might be going to a Dexter story line!! They sound like quite the troop. Is this based on a real story? I enjoyed it, Ann.
Foster Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 2:52 PM
Dear friend, there is always a real story... :) hugs. Ann
DiMino Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 8:51 AM
Magnificent write! A favorite for sure!
Foster Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 8:58 AM
You are so kind. Thank you. Ann
Adams Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 6:12 AM
wonderful poem Ann... when "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" shut down it made me wonder what all those people who grew up around it, traveled all their life as it was the only life they knew would handle a stationary life... good write, love the ending message...one must make the most of the life we have... hugs and blessings :)
Foster Avatar
January 20, 2020 at 9:01 AM
Fitting in is really hard for just about anyone that is moving to somewhere they have never been. Add a few "things of interest" and the word outcast takes the place of stranger to fast. Friend is best... Always... I miss the circus... so sad. Our children will miss many things, that they have no idea they lost... just us, we do. Hugs. Ann
Somadas Avatar
January 19, 2020 at 11:23 PM
Be happy.. It is a choice.. Nice message through this sweet poem Ann.. Good one..
Foster Avatar
January 19, 2020 at 11:35 PM
Thank you, friend. Have the very nicest night. Ann
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace