Pagliaccio

By luigi_pagano

Tue, 06 Aug 2019
  • 1253 reads
6 comments
 
I am an entertainer who hides
behind greasepaint. I am a clown.
I have to present a happy face
so as not to let the children down.
 
They have lots of fun and laugh
at the antics of two funny blokes
with white makeup and red noses
exchanging blows and silly jokes.
 
Contrary to my public merriment
my private life is rather mirthless;
my domestic situation in disarray
and my relationships in a mess.
 
My spouse cuckolded me today.
Apparently she could not resist
the physical, robust, attributes
of the well-endowed funambulist.
 
I am the proprietor of this circus
as well as being the main jester,
therefore I can't and won't allow
thoughts of their betrayal fester.
 
I don't want to resort to revenge
because to perpetrate violence,
like that in the opera 'Pagliacci',
would get me a jail sentence.
 
I will concentrate on replacing
a wife I can respect and admire
but also what the Big Top needs:
a man who can walk the wire.
 
 
© Luigi Pagano 2019

 

 
Certificate 12
Poem
Cherry ripe
Fantasy

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I enjoyed your poem Luigi. I think there's a clown in all of us if truth be told.

Jenny. xx

 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

How very true, Jenny. We all have feeling and emotions that are not too evident or that we suppress for our own private reason. While on the surface we appear to be happy-go-lucky individuals we may be burdened by worries that we are reluctant to share.
Thanks for your constant support.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A very complicated private life! I am always impressed at your ability to find constant inspiration Luigi. Do you write every day? Also - did you see the notice I put on the front page yesterday from Leeds Museum? I hope you have a go!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I Claudine, I don't have a set routine for putting my ideas on paper. I write mainly to keep my grey cells active. Something that I heard or read (and reading other authors' work) sets my brain into action but it isn't a daily chore. I respond to the Inspiration Point which I find a useful trigger.
I concocted this poem, curiously enough, re-reading my last one which started with the words 'I am a senior citizen ' and thought ' what if were an imaginary person like an actor or a clown' and decided that perhaps I could write a series of verses all starting with 'I am...'
So far I have two, should I try a third?
Thanks for posting that notice on the front page. I shall see what it's all about but I feel that it is aimed at poets of the calibre of Simon Armitage and the like.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Go on then - try another!  I'm glad you find the IP useful. Don't forget we're always looking for ideas for the next one smiley

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I'll think of something.

Luigi x