"Who's running this circus anyway?"
Oh baby, I know
that every midget wants to be an equestrienne,
but they have their own horseshit to deal with,
when the manager's assistant comes around
with ideas, after the show.
Look, I know it all seems random and hopeless at times,
but there are things you can depend on.
Doesn't Candy Cathy get hosed at every performance?
Kicked in her oversized pants?
Doesn't she always have to run after the little clown car
when her seventeen pals drive off without her?
And yet, she smiles.
Okay, I don't really like her, either.
But still.
The ringmaster doesn't send the peanut vendor out onto the high wire.
They don't trot out the ticket taker and say,
"Here, juggle these bowling pins while swallowing a flaming sword."
There aren't enough lozenges in the world, for that.
Similarly, you never see The Flying McFarquhars sweeping the stalls.
See where I'm going with this?
You're out there doing what you do, because you can.
Who's gonna take your place? Me?
I would, I really would, except that
you never want to swap and go train the tigers.
Chickennn, b-b-bawk!
Oh, don't start with that face,
can you picture me as the contortionist?
There isn't enough Aleve in the world for that.
Besides,
it was seeing you do your golliwog act that made me fall for you.
No fooling. No net!
Those faces out there may look like just so many cream pie targets,
but they are watching you.
Little girls go home and dream of being you,
not some dumb equestrienne.
So trot your happy ass out there. Yes, again.
Let the show go on, here tonight,
then on to who-knows-where
by blind faith
by Jiminy
by daylight.
__________
Wish I could explain WHY your work is so good!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3
I grinned all the way through this. I dont know how you do it, I am just eternally grateful that you do, and that I get to read it.
ReplyDeleteI find this to be a very rewarding read, on a personal level. To me, it's a metaphor for my life: motherhood, responsibility, the necessity for completing tasks I don't enjoy as much as I had hoped I would. And you're right: Many little girls dream of being mothers, having their own homes and families, doing exactly what I do. It just isn't always the bliss we had hoped for. Through some seasons of life, though, we simply must put on a smile, complete our tasks, and do well the jobs we were given. We are all contortionists, at times. And jugglers, tightrope walkers, etc. Life is certainly a circus, and we're all doing the best we can.
ReplyDeleteProvenance and proclivity and desire--also a few very pungent nuggets of wisdom, line up in this one to take a circus bow, because, the show must go on.
ReplyDeleteAnd you failed to include a Leo Sayer music video?
ReplyDeleteFor shame, Shay.
Leo Sayer?
ReplyDeleteI too want a nice safe equestrian act, I don't care if young girls prefer a contortionist or a trapeze dancer. What a show! Day in and day out, can't be a no show. Amazing poem.
ReplyDeleteI just love this. That is all.
ReplyDeleteThis conversation poem made me laugh especially these lines, "Here, juggle these bowling pins while swallowing a flaming sword."
ReplyDeleteThere aren't enough lozenges in the world, for that." LOL
How do you do this? I ask it so often. You are a poem machine...they just roll out one after the other and all great.
I have to admit the conversation ones are the most fun to read. I can really get into the characters when I read them out loud.
i don't care for a circus, but i do love your poem!
ReplyDelete"by blind faith
by Jiminy
by daylight."
♥