Big Top

I took my poem to the poetry circus.

We just wanted a break. It was Saturday, after all.

Neither of us were prepared for what happened.

Suddenly the Big Top wanted a piece of us.

The magician called us up, top hat and all

with extra rabbits.

We didn't like where this was going.

The editors wanted to saw us in half!

We just wanted to sit in the peanut gallery

maybe get a snow cone or so.

watch the lion tamers.

suddenly we were part of the act

we had to do as the ringmaster suggested

we didn't remember being paid

we didn't even remember putting in an application.

we were rather glad when we woke up

and found the rag rugs covered in sawdust

our little house. where

we watched cartoons for the rest of the day.

and never did our chores.

mary angela douglas 24 september 2021