Cathedral Clown

Cathedral Clown © David Philip Ireland, All rights reserved

There was rain, incessant rain,

Incandescent tears from the sky that fell upon your byre

Extinguishing your fire

The gods much displeased with your passing

Janus’ eyes wild with desire

The chiffon scarf that fluttered from Coco’s hand had captivated you

When first we met

And now, just steps away from your grand entrance

Entrancing all, as you ever did

We bid farewell

I’ve watched Popov fall and tumble

There, in the gods, higher than the wire

Italian chocolates and pumas tears

Swords through caskets, gasps of awe

Flea trapezists, trouser geese

Stardust stink and pan-stick grease

Seasons, dragons, and the four winds

Interchanging like mah jongh tiles

A serendipity of souls

Harlequin masks with ‘steal my girl’ smiles

Throughout my life I’ve followed the wagons

Watched the roustabouts heave and strain

Taken my chances beyond the cages

Urging the beasts to break their chains

The horse, the dog, a pirouette

A chimp that clutched your hand

With sequinned pierrot cap perched upon his head

The sights and smells, the visceral tight rope addiction

Dance once more in the sawdust ring

You’ll be there in the limelight shadows

There behind the footlights

There in the high chapeau

There in the tears and laughter

There in the soul of the show

Cathedral clown