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| Open Poetry #50 |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana 
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They brought him in before the show started, A tiny, frail thing secreted in a wheelchair. We'd been told, the sword swallower and Tiny Tim, Bare-back Riders, Ringmaster and the Clowns. As the tent began to fill I watched his eyes, The hawkers of candy and popcorn his delight. Eventually, everything was set; it was Showtime, Lights were doused, spotlight shone on Ringmaster. A three-ring circus had come to this child's town, A child God saw fit to take from this world, After punishing him with agony untold, He'd chase this chaste child to the cold earth below. When they told him a circus was coming to town, Oh, how he begged and pleaded, please let me go. Doctors were consulted, medicine upgraded, How could they refuse this child this last request? He squealed at the lady bareback rider, His eyes opened wide at the sword swallower, As the Ringmaster regaled him with tales of daring, Tiny Tim perched on his shoulder and made faces. But it was we clowns, not the flying acrobats, Nor the bearded lady who chased the ape man. It was we clowns made him shriek the loudest, We clowns, we outdid ourselves on that night. Our antics and slapstick had him in stitches, He clapped his tiny hands over and over. There was a feeling going round inside that tent, An impression that a miracle was due. We went on longer than any show before, Each trying to outdo the other performers. The show was over, and no more could be done, We all stood and watched as they wheeled him away. Vibrations in the air, no one could sleep that night, Waited for the daybreak, the miracle we'd hear, We were still in our circus attire when she came, His mother, saying, he died happy last night. No one could look that woman in the eye, I, and the rest looked for a place to cry. February 3, 2018 / Jerry Pat Bolton ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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| © Copyright 2018 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Awesome - I could see and hear it! j. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, my old friend. I'm finishing up my last glass of cheap California burgundy. Hope all is well with you ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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