Carnivale

Taking a cue from
The Ringmaster,
I tip my hat and
Smile, oh so big

And the crowds cheer
A mesh of chocolate faces:
Popcorn pimps and
Cotton candy whores

I do my best to entertain
Keep them happy
As my cheeks burn
My smile melts into pain

Then I wonder about
These freaks who
Tie me up
Bound and gagged

You do what you
Can for them
But you have to
Keep the applause

Rodeo punks
Flying diseased acrobats
Twist and turn
For your fancy

I left my soul there
Up on the high wire
And it fell with a
Thump, Splat, Squish

When all along
I was the clown
In the thick makeup
And big Shoes

Smiling, oh so big