The Circus

I struggled out of my bed

the day the circus passed through town

Leading the parade were the smudge carriers

round faced girls with big curls

in blue and yellow costumes

swinging gold pots in circular pendulums

sending scented smoke billowing to the clouds

And I watched in wonder

the day the circus passed through town

Next came giant elephants with golden tusks

big feet shaking the ground

with boys on their necks

dressed like clowns with tasseled hats

tossing colored flower petals all around

And I waved to them

the day the circus passed through town

Then came the camels laden down with sacks

golden rings and diamonds spilling out

clattering on the cobble stones

to the chuckle of the camel drovers

(and no doubt to the camels’s joy as well)

And I grinned

the day the circus passed through town

Then the band in red uniforms and brass buttons

with golden cymbals as big as the moon

banging with a joyous sound

and a blast of trumpets to wake the dead

horns and whistles, xylophones, twanging strings

and I squealed with delight

the day the circus passed through town

And behind them came the dancing children

boys and girls of every color

swirling and twirling

and giggling at the Ring Master

standing tall and smiling in their midst

and I stood alone

the day the circus passed through town

I called out as the Ring Master came abreast

“I wish you didn’t have to pass me by.”

“But we came for you,” he answers

and he reaches down, scoops me up,

and places me upon his shoulders

Now I can’t stop laughing

as our circus passes through town

Peter E. Abresch

July 11, 2002