Darren White Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

 

Written for Goodreads YA LGBT Group
September 2016 prompt

Voice of the Clown

Here I am, a clown, night after night
I make them laugh, applaud, smile
With my pantomime, dumb show
They think it's an act
That after the show I go back to my real self
What if they knew there is no me?
What they see is what they get?

A long time ago I have decided to become
what everyone already thought I was
A clown
To them I was nothing but a clown anyway
Jittery, jumpy, twitching and stuttering
Gay and small and vulnerable

What I would like
What I would really like?
For you to see right through me
right into my heart, and kiss me?
Hear my voice and have patience
let me speak my words
of humanity, of being human

Make me feel human again?
Wrap your arms around this
small twitching frame
And hold me.


***

Copyright Darren White

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John Herlihy April 26, 2017 at 9:23 AM I like this one very much. Every line is unexpected, just like the poor clown who is nothing but himself. Me thinks there is something of the clown in each of us, thinking "let me be me" and as you end this touchingly: "Hold me." Beautiful. JH Darren White April 26, 2017 at 2:31 PM Yes, let me be me, accept me and hug me.... And isn't that what we all want? Thanks John.

Anne-Marie Coreggia April 26, 2017 at 8:47 AM What a profoundly touching poem. Too many people casually pass judgment too fast and if you are not careful you can end up caught in the web they wove out of fun; also It also reminded me that too many people do not have the courage to be who they really are and put on a mask elaborately altered to hide their real self, but what a self they hide! :) Amitiés Darren White April 26, 2017 at 2:30 PM Exactly, it's a knife that's sharp on both sides. Painful but true. But as soon as you realize that, your worldview changes :)

Kai Michael Neumann April 25, 2017 at 3:10 AM Surely, I can feel the clown and his heart. I often think of the clown as the fool or jester of Tarot cards, in which he is also the wise man or woman. And I see that in this poem too. Kai Darren White April 25, 2017 at 3:57 AM In Tarot, in almost any interpretation I would do for someone? Indeed. Just as Death/Tower: a form of renewal.

Cynthia Ur April 23, 2017 at 9:58 PM I really like this poem. I can tell the deep meaning behind it and find it very good! It's very well put together. Nice job! Darren White April 25, 2017 at 3:58 AM Thank you :) there is indeed a deep meaning behind this one.

White Wolf April 23, 2017 at 4:21 AM Duir my friend, you are no clown in my book! Funny, yes, but no clown! You are the opposite to a clown! Caring, loving, sensitive, honest, the list goes on! This is one poem I must disagree with! Darren White April 23, 2017 at 4:36 AM Thanks my friend! As you can see how I replied Victor below, it is written for a prompt, but it is not how I picture myself. I agree with your disagreement :) Hugs.

Jan Allison April 23, 2017 at 3:11 AM Wow Darren I am even more in tears now after reading this straight after Arthur's blog and poem - you really are inspirational my friend as I know this is written from the heart:-) hugs Jan xx Darren White April 23, 2017 at 3:37 AM Thank you so much Jan, and yes that blog and poem of Arthur's is simply wonderful..... Hugs xx