Clown

Written after a conversation with Shazbatt969 about clowns

You wave your c**k

at passing strangers,

spew expletives

all over them

just to enrage,

outrage and make

yourself feel powerful.

 

But deep within the shell

of your anger there

is confusion,

a brittle vulnerable

centre that you protect

with a shield of bluster.

 

In reality you don't know how to act,

you would love to simply

be nice.

 

But that would involve

opening up the gates

to your private hell

where you stand,

alone in front of the mirror

each day

putting on your greasepaint.

 

31/05/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I have found that comedians and clowns who make a living making others laugh, usually live themselves under a cloak of misery. That is so sad.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Hancock, Milligan etc. This is also about those who simply act badly and say things to shock. Many thanks Chris.

[gram linski]

Great piece of observational poetry, you been watching me ?, the grease paint gets smeared and smothered
and absorbs. spunge, spunge, punching broken glass, morning after morning into the smashed mirror of, smudged orange eye, winking, myth of night

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ha you have a grand idea of yer sel fella! There are many clowns and monsters out there. Enough for both of us and more! Thank you for relating buddy!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think this is probably true of most clowns as it is many comedians...the laughter and the smiles are there to cover up the frowns, the hurt that is deep inside.
Better to laugh than to cry...but many see under the paint and understand the real emotions that perpetrate.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes there seem to be many 'clowns' and comedians who are depressed when not performing. A kind of over compensation takes them boldly upon the stage. Many thanks jacob.