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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2016-08-08 04:06 PM



I cavort around in over-sized shoes,
Stumble and fall for the hysterical all,
Give them my tear-streaked clowns face,
Making them laugh with glee and joy.

This broken-down heart inside of me,
Hopes the laughter is not a one-night stand,
If that would ever happen they would see,
These tears on my face were real all along.

My painted-on laughing face is a farce,
I can't laugh, but that doesn't mean you can't.
As the circus plays these backwater towns,
My aim is to bring laughter, never gloom.

My heart almost smiles when a young girl giggles,
And that freckle-faced, tousled-headed boy grins.
Hysterical laughter when I nail my shoe to the floor
Makes me want to keep going year after year.

Although I'm sad on the inside I like to spread joy,
It's such a small comfort to bring about cheer,
To know that for a moment life's troubles are gone,
It's all I need of life, to be the bringer of mirth.

I hope I'll never become an uncaring soul,
To not feel a glad inside as I humor a child.
Eyes bright and shiny with tears from my antics,
Clapping with happiness at my next belly-flop.

It isn't only the children who love my act,
Grandpa's and grandma's fall back to their childhood.
Even the old have some of the child within,
The gumless mouths sometimes laugh the hardest.

Never shall I fail to forget my mission in life,
Causing people to laugh, letting it all hang out.
The nasties of life is forgotten when the clown
Turn the fire hose on those crazy Keystone Cops.

When the Big Top comes down for the last time,
And my clowns face is removed by creams and lotions,
I'd like to be able to hear before I go,
You were a good clown old son; you have earned your rest.

©June 3, 2016 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

© Copyright 2016 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
RedStoneEB
Senior Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 772
uk
1 posted 2016-08-08 04:12 PM


it's always nice to have a good laugh service well done.

RS

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2016-08-08 04:18 PM


Thank you, RS, I appreciate your kind thoughts.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

3 posted 2016-08-08 05:01 PM


You've earned my respect for this one. Can I make them laugh with you? Topnotch, human poetry, with a gentle touch of pathos.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2016-08-08 05:06 PM


Thanks, Redstart.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Ari Squire
Member
Posts 488
In The Phallus Lane
5 posted 2016-08-08 06:38 PM


Your poem stirs up the old Goldsboro tune "See The Funny Little Clown". Clowns have taken a bad rap in the last few decades. I had the chance as a youngster to see Emmet Kelly and as a father, to take the kids to meet Bozo in the 70's. I still like clowns and so do the grandkids. There are many people who are sad inside too, and walk about their business and interact socially leaving no clue and using no face paint.

Loving Linny Jean is poetry.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2016-08-08 06:55 PM


I grew up seeing clowns in the sort of atmosphere I tried to write this poem in, Ari. I so loved your last line, because of the truth in it. Thanks for stopping by.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

7 posted 2016-08-31 11:23 AM


I hope I'll never become an uncaring soul,
To not feel a glad inside as I humor a child.
Eyes bright and shiny with tears from my antics,
Clapping with happiness at my next belly-flop.

Loved this....I hope we all retain the innocence we were gifted with...in this beautiful work of art, I saw so much...thank you for the smiles

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