.
I am a dissatisfied clown
among the world's best
in a circus

I never intended on joining.
I didn't even notice
my presence here
until I was flung back,
broken arm,
as workers popped the big
blue tent bidding
come one, come all,
experience the greatest show
this side of the Mississippi.

It was the pain.
I noticed, only then,
my big red nose,
my well worn suit,
the smile on my face,
even though the corners of my lips
fell closer to my chin
than my sad, wet eyes.

This show is special,
The comedienne's are the hit!
The Ringmaster, before,
only saw us as necessary fluff,
not human, but less,
only here to fill what
space wasn't taken by
the trapeze and their safety net,
their crew, their families.

Today we are the prize,
finally human,
entertainingly human,
tremendously human.

The celebrated last night,
patting their backs,
clasping their hands
speaking of future plans,

And I was happy too,
despite their fearful eyes
as they caught glimpses of me
in the dark room beside them
filled with me, and those like me.
Creatures who take up the space outside
the trapeze,
and the lion tamers,
and the comediennes.

But they need not worry,
this is all I know.
.