Roll Up! Roll Up!

Roll up!  Roll up! Crack

the whip!  Circle the horses.

Let the monkeys laugh

and play with careless

disarray around this heart;

broken, wounded, fallen

from the high wire,

grip gone, hands open

in mute surrender.

Your forced false smile

Painted in a permanent

Good-vibe leer... I tip

my hat to all who stride

into the ring, willingly -

take a chance on love.

All the pretty ones

are gathered for love’s

circus performance.

Watch out for the Ring Master!

He can reach a hand inside

your chest and squeeze...