It's Gone

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 

I watched aerialists perform somersaults 

on wires strung high above the ground,

gasped as men on a trapeze swung

from one swing to another,

counted the number of clowns 

climbing out of a small car,

held my breath when the lion tamer

appeared in the ring , sat mesmerized

when women wearing sequined outfits

rode elephants festooned in dazzling baubles,

laughed at clowns with large shoes and red noses

Ate cotton candy spun around paper cones

and Cracker Jacks and popcorn

The circus was magic, a make believe world

of sawdust, contortionists, glitter

and the circus music

For weeks after I practiced walking on a clothesline 

laid down on the living room rug--