Home » Poems » Darren White » Voice of the Clown

Darren White | + Follow Poet |

Voice of the Clown

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Darren White.

Written for Goodreads YA LGBT Group
September 2016 prompt

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

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

John Herlihy

Date: 4/26/2017 9:23:00 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
Date: 4/26/2017 2:31:00 PM

Yes, let me be me, accept me and hug me.... And isn't that what we all want? Thanks John.

Anne-Marie Coreggia

Date: 4/26/2017 8:47:00 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
Date: 4/26/2017 2:30:00 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

Date: 4/25/2017 3:10:00 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
Date: 4/25/2017 3:57:00 AM

In Tarot, in almost any interpretation I would do for someone? Indeed. Just as Death/Tower: a form of renewal.

Cynthia Ur

Date: 4/23/2017 9:58:00 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
Date: 4/25/2017 3:58:00 AM

Thank you :) there is indeed a deep meaning behind this one.

White Wolf

Date: 4/23/2017 4:21:00 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
Date: 4/23/2017 4:36:00 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

Date: 4/23/2017 3:11:00 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
Date: 4/23/2017 3:37:00 AM

Thank you so much Jan, and yes that blog and poem of Arthur's is simply wonderful..... Hugs xx