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| Open Poetry #47 |
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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 his 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. ~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ |
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| © Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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dreamgal Member
since 2011-03-17
Posts 442 |
Very sweetly told, very sadly ended. But a really joyful read overall nothing like a kid at the circus especially one who is ill. Ahh the innocence of it all. So touching. Dreamgal  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Emmett would kiss you for this... and you, being a man's man... in this instance? Would let him.  Thank you, Jerry. Could I share this with Kansans... they would be proud! |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, Dreamgal, nice talking to you today. Of course, Sunshine, thank you. ~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Extremely poignant and intensely rendered, dear Jerry. Good I had a hankie ready! Love, Margherita |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, Margherita. ~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Jerry you always know where to find the soft spot in the reader's heart. Bullseye! Lori |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
. . . and you, Lori, always know how to make me feel good . . . ~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Wonderful...James |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, James . . . ~ I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time" / I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ |
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