*****

Recorded Reading (2:37): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7vv5n63kypu1unn0gc51m/Clown-Around.mp3?rlkey=rfpklxon692008k8da4xikak5&dl=0

*****

Clown Around

In every culture, ancient and
Modern, things get out of hand
Due to processes of growth —
We do things sometimes we are loth
Afterward to contemplate
Or to anyone relate —
If we’d known when ’twas begun
As do now, ’twere left undone
But, left unchecked, a habit made
By which no happiness be won

Ancient cultures had it over
Modern ~ truly in the clover ~
Where they wise sufficient were
Early incidence refer
Correction to ~ the best around ~
They’d call in their Sacred Clown ~
Whom to tailor would proceed
Technique to any present need:
Unnecessary to harass
One he might instead embarrass!

So the girl who thought her face
Brightest blessing in the place,
Found any excuse to shirk
Every kind of outdoor work
Which might smudge her careful gown
For the young men all around,
Might look up, twisting a lock,
To receive the dreadful shock
Of one standing shoulder o’er
Unfortunate well seemed to know ‘er

Prancing in come-hither pose
Lifting a disdainful nose
To the working women, while
Handsome braves got every smile
What was surely even worse
Was the way that it rehearsed
Every action that she made
As wantonly renegade
Why, even now, twisting its hair
About its finger with an air

Blatantly supercilious
Insulting and ridiculous!
When she got up, it got up too
Elaborately parvenu
Holding carefully its skirt
Safely up above the dirt
Giggling and simpering
Like a young besotted thing ~
No need more to put her down
After one pass through the town,

Mercifully vanished to
Own chastisement leave unto…
Rely on it, she found it pays
From time to time to change ones ways ~
Instantly more willing to
Put hand the needed work unto!
My point is this: I am such kind
Blessed with most competent mind
Do not falseness bring around
When speaking with a Sacred Clown

*****

Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

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