Life Under The Big Top
“Here he comes” the midwife says - smack! Welcome to the circus
This is the way we enter in - a yell! That’s how our birth is
Six months old with a giggle loud The centre of attention
People come from all around To see me, and to mention
How cute I am, they smile and clap I’m starring in the circus
A year has passed, on wobbly legs I do my tightrope action
The audience here, they grin and cheer I love their sweet re-action
I’m still the star, the best by far In my exclusive circus
Time for school, I’m just one more Who must now live each rule
The star no more, just a number there Uneducated fool
A fall from grace, in this new place Discovering what work is
In the school yard cowering there This really is a circus
A teenager I am, in love It’s not reciprocated
If she would only smile at me I’d buy a ring - gold plated!
Except I haven’t any cash She’s wondering who the jerk is
A lion in a cage I am suffering in the circus
Roll up, Roll up! Next act in line The adolescent clown
Brightly coloured, painted smile Beneath, I wear a frown
My mates, they all think I am great My parents feel let down
Behaviour, judgement, all are quirkish Suit made to measure for the circus
Married now, with kids a few Small monkeys all around
Demanding this, demanding that The loud, incessant sound
It’s quite a challenge all this stuff I’m wondering where the perk is
Back to work tomorrow then Blimey, what a circus
Older now, learned all the tricks At last – but are they useless?
All this learning, fraught with yearning Why? - It all seems fruitless
And doubting now, in the light of day Just how good the Merc is
It’s after all just a big clown’s car I’m driving in the circus
Soon be time to say goodbye As I look back on life
Reflection, inspection, perception And introspection rife
I see amid the countless conflicts Struggles, strains and strife
It was worthwhile, yes every smile More than paid for all the grimace
Wherever I am finally laid When I have reached the finish
For anyone who passes by Strolls through the graveyard; heaves a sigh
On my tombstone etched, in the evening’s light Words history can’t diminish
“I CAME, I WAS, AND THEN I WENT” The Great Circus? I’m glad I was in it!
Life Under The Big Top – Thoughts This is the story of my life in a flash. The “Big Top” is a representation of the world we live in, and “The Circus” is a metaphor for life.
I heard somewhere that life is a circus and so this poem was born.
Initially I thought of calling it “Welcome to the Circus” but decided the “Big Top” was better. You may not agree, but that is okay, you can write your own book.
This poem was probably the most fun for me to write and came to me quickly, although I had to apply more revision to it than usual. It was interesting, to come up with novel ways to rhyme with “Circus” such as, birth is, work is, jerk is, quirkish, perk is, Merc is, etc.
It traces my life through birth, early childhood, traumatic school life, young innocent love, adolescence, marriage and children, work life, life’s experience, the sometimes feeling of futility in chasing the things of the world.
The realization of the upcoming end, the contemplation of it all, and finally the realization the struggle was all worthwhile - Eternity Awaits!
This is one of the beautiful things about poetry – we can condense a whole life’s experience into just a few verses – Wonderful!
Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.
Composed March 2014
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Life Under The Big Top
“Here he comes” the midwife says - smack! Welcome to the circus
This is the way we enter in - a yell! That’s how our birth is
Six months old with a giggle loud The centre of attention
People come from all around To see me, and to mention
How cute I am, they smile and clap I’m starring in the circus
A year has passed, on wobbly legs I do my tightrope action
The audience here, they grin and cheer I love their sweet re-action
I’m still the star, the best by far In my exclusive circus
Time for school, I’m just one more Who must now live each rule
The star no more, just a number there Uneducated fool
A fall from grace, in this new place Discovering what work is
In the school yard cowering there This really is a circus
A teenager I am, in love It’s not reciprocated
If she would only smile at me I’d buy a ring - gold plated!
Except I haven’t any cash She’s wondering who the jerk is
A lion in a cage I am suffering in the circus
Roll up, Roll up! Next act in line The adolescent clown
Brightly coloured, painted smile Beneath, I wear a frown
My mates, they all think I am great My parents feel let down
Behaviour, judgement, all are quirkish Suit made to measure for the circus
Married now, with kids a few Small monkeys all around
Demanding this, demanding that The loud, incessant sound
It’s quite a challenge all this stuff I’m wondering where the perk is
Back to work tomorrow then Blimey, what a circus
Older now, learned all the tricks At last – but are they useless?
All this learning, fraught with yearning Why? - It all seems fruitless
And doubting now, in the light of day Just how good the Merc is
It’s after all just a big clown’s car I’m driving in the circus
Soon be time to say goodbye As I look back on life
Reflection, inspection, perception And introspection rife
I see amid the countless conflicts Struggles, strains and strife
It was worthwhile, yes every smile More than paid for all the grimace
Wherever I am finally laid When I have reached the finish
For anyone who passes by Strolls through the graveyard; heaves a sigh
On my tombstone etched, in the evening’s light Words history can’t diminish
“I CAME, I WAS, AND THEN I WENT” The Great Circus? I’m glad I was in it!
Life Under The Big Top – Thoughts This is the story of my life in a flash. The “Big Top” is a representation of the world we live in, and “The Circus” is a metaphor for life.
I heard somewhere that life is a circus and so this poem was born.
Initially I thought of calling it “Welcome to the Circus” but decided the “Big Top” was better. You may not agree, but that is okay, you can write your own book.
This poem was probably the most fun for me to write and came to me quickly, although I had to apply more revision to it than usual. It was interesting, to come up with novel ways to rhyme with “Circus” such as, birth is, work is, jerk is, quirkish, perk is, Merc is, etc.
It traces my life through birth, early childhood, traumatic school life, young innocent love, adolescence, marriage and children, work life, life’s experience, the sometimes feeling of futility in chasing the things of the world.
The realization of the upcoming end, the contemplation of it all, and finally the realization the struggle was all worthwhile - Eternity Awaits!
This is one of the beautiful things about poetry – we can condense a whole life’s experience into just a few verses – Wonderful!
Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.
Composed March 2014