Calliope Tunes

She can hear calliope music
its jarring notes whistling
and the smell of burnt sugar
that makes her feel slightly sick.
"It's the Circus" she says to herself
and watches rain splash the pane

She remembers being excited
the first time she saw elephants
and the clown who made her scream
as he threw buckets of torn tissue
into the stalls where they sat.

She held Papa's hand so tight
That she slipped from the sweat
losing him in the barrelling crowds,
a stampede of eager hoards
doped on hallucinatory tunes and
addictive candy that popped in mouths.

In her childhood imagination
Papa was the clown and Mamma
spun on ropes as honky tonk tunes
trilled and thrilled the audience.

A garish clothed fool with rubber lips
and a nose that parped like a horn
found her and took her back to her seat
safe between Papa and Maman

They watched a Cowboy and Indian show
That galloped in a frenzy around,
sawdust flying in choking dust
the whoops and calls deafening.

She was sick on the way home
a head pounding in pain from the strain
of that damn calliope music.
"I don't like the Circus" she murmurs,
"besides, it's not fun when it rains."




Poetry by Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 615 times
Written on 2013-01-07 at 20:07

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
I've always enjoyed circuses for the very reasons which upset this little girl. I've also enjoyed this well-crafted poem.
2013-01-13


Peter J. Kautsky
very touching and expressive of tender emotions.
2013-01-08



What a wonderful trip down memory lane. I have surprisingly set upon a similar scene once or twice! How fortunate to hear that music and the smell of cotton floss... It is a totally different world to the ordinary, and its nomadic manners make it all the more mysterious. The rain does douse the fun somewhat. Thanks for sharing!!!! Applauded.
2013-01-08