Monday, May 21, 2012

The Clown Speaks...

Chagall

The Clown Speaks
©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

If I should wake up and be free
of all the people watching me
and say good-bye to tightrope walking,
big top, and calliope––
then would I search the silence deep,
embrace the parts of me that sleep,
let go of cotton candy dreams,
and hold to truth that I can keep.

Le cirque makes life a bagatelle,
a hanging-by-your-knees trapeze.
(But still I crave the salty smell
of peanuts roasted in the shell.)
What is this tent that holds me fast,
this ringmaster that paints my face?
If I sign on, the die is cast.
The shell game has its way at last.



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28 comments:

karen said...

I liked this one a lot, Sue - deep, but not so deep that I have to hurt my brain. We all get caught up in the circus, don't we? (Drawn by salty peanuts, glitz, and cotton candy - different temptations for us all) But one truth remains that helps us stay away from the center ring and it's dangerous comeons: clowns are SCARY!

Brian Miller said...

there is some nice wisdom in this...life changes fast you know...and we roll with it...and search for the truth in it or let it overwelm us...nice write sue...

Unknown said...

The weighty work of planning one's future, is so vividly captured in this poem, Sue. I love how you used imagery to develop the clown's insecurities. You are so talented!! =D Thanks for sharing.

larainydays said...

Loved the Chagall, loved the poem.

21 Wits said...

a very magical read, thank you! I am really enjoying the many faces of the circus. Your music was beautiful too!

Unknown said...

Lovely write ...great read ...still love the buzz of the circus ...many thanks for sharing x

Pondside said...

I'll bet that many of us found something in this poem that we thought was meant just for us. This speaks to me of what to keep and what to let go - and how I'm the only one who knows what's really worth keeping.

Other Mary said...

Brilliant, just brilliant! And same goes for your music choice.

Stafford Ray said...

I am glad Other Mary mentioned the lute? I just happened to have the ear phones on as I do so as to not wake the sleepy heads in the house and wondered where it was coming from.
The Clown Speaks took me one way and the music at first took me another so I had to start again with a more introspective mind. Both lovely and a little sad, a different experience.

Sistas in Zion said...

We love your poetry Sue, this piece was deep and good food for thought, we read it a few times. Nice work!

Helena said...

Hey! Hey! I just love the line:

'Le cirque makes life a bagatelle, a hanging-by-your-knees trapeze'

simply wonderful!

LeAnn said...

I liked this one and marvel again at how talented you are. I went to the poetry link. I love poetry. I used to write poetry when I was younger; but for some reason I can't anymore. Maybe it is one of those use it or lose it. My husband and one of our daughters are good at writing poetry.
Even if I can't write it; I can certainly enjoy reading it and I do.
Hugs!

Leovi said...

Yes, a good poem, you have been great, in form and content.

Gail said...

As always a wonderful read. You just have a way of speaking the truth so beautifully.

izzy said...

Very nice ! rhythm and flow too.
the circus is fun!

Amy said...

I love clowns and the circus! Though for some reason clowns make me a little sad. Lovely.

Unknown said...

love this.

Ginny Brannan said...

Very thoughtful poem & interesting rhyme scheme. All works together quite well! (BTW, love the REM instrumental in the background!)

Trellissimo said...

a hanging-by-your-knees trapeze.

Love this line! :)

Silent Otto said...

Great fun, yet very profound, Sue. Lots of forgotten things surfacing in the ring

Caroline said...

WOW!

And I loved the music accompanying this. Perfect!

Love this. Love it.

Sue, what is the name of this music? Where can I find it?

Caroline said...

Oh wow! Right as I clicked off of this and back to the main page, the music changed! I made it just in time to hear this! What timing!

Grandma Honey said...

Letting go of the cotton candy dreams...for something better and deeper. Great analogy.

robkistner said...

This was great Sue, enjoyable to read, and thought provoking -- I read it thrice... good stuff...

…rob
Image & Verse
my poem: Laughing

anitamombanita said...

well done, Sue! I'm crazy behind on my blog reading, but trying to catch up!

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Lovely thought provoking read.

Anna :o]

Tess Kincaid said...

Okay...I'm really wanting some hot roasted peanuts now...

Anonymous said...

you make your ingenious ideas and words flow so well