AMANDA BARBOUR, PONY EXPRESS(IONS) STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

What a funhouse mirror is love

Our carnival act closed on a

Two bit train to another town

You the tattooed strong man mustachioed and bald

Vulnerable flesh concealed by

Sleeves of translucent dyes

Patterned scales and tribal offerings.

What was I but your Pagliacci?

Sad clown to make you smile

Our tragedy a comic affair

Now that years have swept the last of

Cotton candied sweetness

From our sudden summer spectacle.

I look for you among lion tamers

And stilt-toting tall men

You the organ grinder

With your dance monkey dance

Who will play for me

When the train moves on?