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JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-05-04 06:47 PM

I suppose it was a good night,
No injuries in the routine;
Though the human dartboard did flinch,
It's no wonder she's so mean.

At the mirror I stare at myself,
I feel like braying like a mule,
Peeling off the clown they laughed at,
The man staring back is a fool.

I can still hear the crowd's loud scream,
I wonder why I don't just leave,
Putting on my clown's face at night,
Smiling at the crowd to deceive.

Try to smile with the greasepaint,
Hopeless, have to put mask back on.
I can't anymore, not tonight,
Why do I continue, I moan?

I want to be like all the rubes,
A picket fence, a girl to love,
Why, oh why, do I don this mask,
I loathe and I am so sick of?

I stare at jars that hold my face,
Think of men whose face is their own,
Helping the kids with their homework,
A pretty wife waiting at home.

Then I think of my ma and pa,
Screaming at each other for fun,
They too wore masks, masks of rage,
And took it out on me, their son.

I touch the jars lined up before me,
Remembering I was their prey,
That's why I ran away from home
And joined the circus that fine day.

Although a mask I daily wear,
I do it to give people smiles,
And like today, when I am down,
I am smiling in grand old style.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

[This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (05-04-2011 07:20 PM).]

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

1 posted 2011-05-04 07:17 PM

As filled with sad resignation as this seems to be to me, I do believe it's probably my favorite of yours that I've read thus far.

To take an honest inventory of one's self is really important, I believe, but it is entirely possible to get caught up in your own spokes while your pedaling the wheels of that trike.

Don't let the dark creepies creep up on ya, darlin'.

I loved this one bunches.

Be well.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-05-04 07:22 PM

Nope, don't worry about the spokes, Serenity, I've got that covered. Thanks a lot.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

dreamgal
Member

since 2011-03-17

Posts 442

3 posted 2011-05-04 08:11 PM

I stare at jars that hold my face...
I love that line. And I love this write!

Dreamgal

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

4 posted 2011-05-04 08:23 PM

Thank you very much, Dreamgal.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2011-05-04 09:54 PM

I suppose it was a good night....

~*~

and from that moment
you had me.

Your series of masks
paint, and mirrors [yes
there are mirrors]

would make quite a book, Poet.

You can add the magic
and wonder later...

right now, the circus is in town
because the clown says so.

Kudos!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

6 posted 2011-05-04 10:00 PM

Much obliged, Sunshine for the wonderful response to my poem. Yes! The circus is in town.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

7 posted 2011-05-04 10:46 PM

Jerry....I love the honesty in this..such an important part of looking in the mirror. I think you look real good!!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

8 posted 2011-05-04 10:53 PM

I appreciate it, Martie.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

9 posted 2011-05-05 05:36 AM

Simply awesome, dear Jerry!

Thought provoking, a great profound reflection of the human soul.

No one knows melancholy better than a clown ... but then bringing even momentaneously joy to others is a blessing that will be put on the balance ...

Love,
Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

10 posted 2011-05-05 07:35 AM

Thank you, Margherita, started my day off with good feelings.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

11 posted 2011-05-05 09:14 AM

All this clowning around is really working for you my friend! I hope the circus stays around a while longer

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

12 posted 2011-05-05 09:31 AM

Haha! Yeah, thanks Lori. Suddenly, a few days ago I started writing about the clowns and I seem to be coming addicted.

~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~

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