HUMORESQUE

The ringmaster steps forward,
Identifies me in the darkness.
I'm a criminal caught by fate,
Tried by limelight.
The circle enlarges,
Delights a jury of fools,
Bedazzles the impatience
Shouting in the bleachers,

People are starving for comic relief;
The heat of lupine drama roars-
The show begins . . .
I juggle scenes from my life.
Clowns see underneath make-up,
Snatch my face,
Strip my psyche.
They laugh,
Pull my hair,
Toss water in my face-
Bread and circus
Feeds the hungry mimes of prey.

The final act serves its tart dessert
As clowns beat me with props.
My pasty skin is no different than
The polka dots on their costumes,
But the crowd demands more.
Clowns acquiesce,
Attach leeches to my psyche.
The crowd cheers . . .
Blood seals my name-
An aperitif to quench their thirst
Paid in revenge,