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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Circus

When the circus came to town
We got tickets for the show
Underneath the big, striped tent
We sat in the top row

We ate some cherry sno cones
And we laughed at a sad clown
But when the acrobats came on
My tears came falling down

How can I explain it
That sometimes little things bring it all back

I'm sorry

I wish I could contain it
But sometimes my thoughts jump a train

Don't worry

It's just that I thought you would be the one
To hold me up if I should stumble
But you were holding someone else
And you just let me fall away and crumble

Now I feel like I am walking
On the high wire all alone without a net
And though I have forgiven you
It's still too soon to say I can forget

So let's just watch the lion tamers
Laugh at all the jugglers and the clown
And maybe I'll forget her name and
All the things you did to bring me down

And maybe I won't cry next time
I see the acrobats
When the circus comes to town

submitted for May Poetry Challenge, Circus, at Verse in a Nutshell
and Thursday Poets Rally, Week 44

I was given this award for Week 44 of the Thursday Poets Rally. Thanks so much!
I would like to nominate Olivia at  http://oliviasmindlymatters.wordpress.com/

22 comments:

trisha said...

pain hidden in it instantly touches the heart.

beautiful.

Anonymous said...

nice rhymes :)
Enjoy the rally!

http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/a-little-while-longer/

Anonymous said...

Wow, need a little work on present and past tense, but so do i. Over all I love the way you compaired the circus acrobats to a failed relationship truly well done to piece the work together. I am seriously impressed. It was a pleasure to read your writing and I look forward to your future rally posts.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

used to be in the circus show,
loved it.

very smart metaphor/sentiments,
Thanks for the award acceptance.
:)

Helena said...

The pull of the circus. A fabulous write combining pain with performance!

Rachel Hoyt said...

Awwww, sad. I am left wondering if this is literal or figurative... the crying at the circus. I thought it was a great comparison for the relationship though.

On a totally weird semi-related side note... my sister met a bearded woman last night working the pharmacy graveyard shift. She said it was very eerie / circus scary. So... not everyone loves the circus you see. :)

Butterflies of time said...

A wonderful piece of writing and I love the way you try to reconcile with the pain and the descriptions of the circus are so lovely!

$unshine of the Moon said...

when i read it i thought i knew how it will go but you surprised me.........very nicely done......the word play and the play of emotions is quite impressive :)

The Unknowngnome said...

I agree with shoelessboywonder in his assessment. I too look forward to your future writings.

Anonymous said...

So sad, it really touches the heart

The Book of Shadows (The Dark Side) said...

A hidden trace of sorrow in it, I feel... yet this piece if very much about how one slide through in learning to let go and even forgive... :) Another wonderful piece...

Olivia said...

That sometimes little things bring it all back.. couldn't be any more true!

Thoughts jumping a train..? My mind's already racing at this thought!

You sure have way with words..
Hugs xoxox

Teri said...

You brought back all the amazement of something hitting a nerve. Wonderful writing.

Anonymous said...

reminds me of the song "Don't Cry Out Loud".....
we have to learn how to hide our feelings sometimes...

love the poem, well-written.....
thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

join Jingle Poetry Potluck today,

your input is valued,
smiles.

bless your Monday!

Anonymous said...

When I started reading this, I thought it would be upbeat, but as soon as it became clear it wouldn't be, the words opened up wonderfully. You have a lovely grasp of language.

The Poet said...

Congratulations on a well-deserved award for this one!

Louise said...

Lovely writing...really enjoyed it! :)

Anonymous said...

It's funny how something can bring back sad memories, and the emotional acrobatics of relationships a circus!

Paul said...

Well this is beautifully written, you use the circus imagery as a great vehicle - nice writing...

Anonymous said...

:( *hugs* He wasn't worthy of you, lola! Too bad you couldn't feed him to those lions. :P I liked this poem but I wish it had a happier ending, my friend.

Elaine Danforth said...

There you are, lolamouse! I can imagine you there at the circus, caught unawares with emotion. Very easy to connect with your experience, the way you've written it. Nice work.

My entry is at: http://elainedanforth.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/in-search-of-time-space-and-place-to-stand/